tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39326646858958197772019-03-04T09:40:05.001+00:00CatterblogPhil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.comBlogger241125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-88743875332122751632019-02-22T23:59:00.000+00:002019-03-01T17:09:42.373+00:00SOTA GM/SS-072 Queensberry - 22nd Feb 2019<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I drove to the start point for Queensberry after activating Cairnharrow GM/SS-191 near Gatehouse of Fleet, so this was an afternoon walk. I started my 3.2 mile walk in from the public road at Mitchellstacks NX 965960, six miles from the A76.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAC7ejOnhkM/XHaVFBv4FmI/AAAAAAAAJS8/l_HcZTBTH7UV9PnuyGJvuVuIk00Z9774wCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="783" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAC7ejOnhkM/XHaVFBv4FmI/AAAAAAAAJS8/l_HcZTBTH7UV9PnuyGJvuVuIk00Z9774wCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B204.jpg" width="596" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was a good walk on better surfaces than the previous 4 boggy summits I had walked to on this two day expedition. A graded track for the most part took me to Brown Knowe and then I had a dry moor with quad tracks from there to the summit. 5m contours are shown here on the map, making the summit look steeper than it was, however I was tired after the previous day so it took me 110 minutes to walk the 3.2 miles / 1630 ft ascent.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nldyTLYr1U/XHaYPRXg9II/AAAAAAAAJTI/om0_ZfxuHF49Rp8lINAwLfgmSrdLYC--wCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2Bturn%2Bright%2Boff%2Btrack%2Bto%2BQueensberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nldyTLYr1U/XHaYPRXg9II/AAAAAAAAJTI/om0_ZfxuHF49Rp8lINAwLfgmSrdLYC--wCLcBGAs/s640/The%2Bturn%2Bright%2Boff%2Btrack%2Bto%2BQueensberry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was the turn off the track on to the moor at Brown Knowe - New House can be seen beyond, with another ruin that bit further away.&nbsp; A small cairn was encountered at 680m within the activation zone as I rounded out on to the plateau, but the main cairn at 697m was another 400m further on. The large pile of stones and shelter was a pleasure to see and use, and allow me to finally tick Queensberry off my priority list of summits that I wanted to visit in the region:&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnxVxhVFLGw/XHaZWZ2J3qI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/SzytUle_m6ATG41TmXcH624DpNj2YVYXACLcBGAs/s1600/GM-SS072%2BQueensberry%2Bshelter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnxVxhVFLGw/XHaZWZ2J3qI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/SzytUle_m6ATG41TmXcH624DpNj2YVYXACLcBGAs/s640/GM-SS072%2BQueensberry%2Bshelter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWEpXljvhbE/XHaZco3TPjI/AAAAAAAAJTU/BaB64pbGuQg9goZxMlsQYTFmQp2IzMdHgCLcBGAs/s1600/Queensberry%2BGM-SS-072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWEpXljvhbE/XHaZco3TPjI/AAAAAAAAJTU/BaB64pbGuQg9goZxMlsQYTFmQp2IzMdHgCLcBGAs/s640/Queensberry%2BGM-SS-072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I netted 22 contacts in 22 minutes on 20m CW and 40m CW/SSB - not a bad rate, which included two stateside&nbsp;contacts. I had no callers on 2m FM:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj7rNynX6SM/XHabGBrrVbI/AAAAAAAAJTk/7ZLUIt9ETGcxcNYQrwTNs0w-3h8_fRsigCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="999" height="264" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj7rNynX6SM/XHabGBrrVbI/AAAAAAAAJTk/7ZLUIt9ETGcxcNYQrwTNs0w-3h8_fRsigCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It took me 83 minutes to get back to the car where I changed into fresh clothes for the drive back to North Yorkshire, punctuated with a customary stop at the KFC in Penrith.&nbsp; I drove 440 miles on the two day trip, walked 18 miles and climbed 4650 feet all told.&nbsp;</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-34242224481033366332019-02-22T22:00:00.000+00:002019-02-28T09:15:00.256+00:00SOTA GM/SS-191 Cairnharrow - 22 Feb 2019<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">22nd February 2019 was my 2nd and final day in Dumfries and Galloway. I stayed at Barholm Accommodation in Creetown, which fitted my needs perfectly. After my previous days activation in the area on 21st February&nbsp;2019 (SS-238, 245 and 232) I arrived after sunset. The warden showed me the room and kitchen etc and then left me to it. I'll certainly stay there again when I return to activate the other summits in the area.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The accommodation is unattended overnight.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8uIdU1hMvyM/XHUOqefyNzI/AAAAAAAAJR0/JbcQyKqPuyUCC1T29kcBzG6EUoLOItGEACLcBGAs/s1600/Barholm%2BAccommodation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8uIdU1hMvyM/XHUOqefyNzI/AAAAAAAAJR0/JbcQyKqPuyUCC1T29kcBzG6EUoLOItGEACLcBGAs/s640/Barholm%2BAccommodation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Barholm is reconstructed</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">&nbsp;from an old pub, the conversion of which was achieved with the aid of a lottery grant - a brilliant and most fitting project in my opinion.&nbsp; The only remaining pub in the town itself now, is the traditional Ellangowan Hotel. This is a "locals pub" and I got a steak and ale pie meal there and a few drinks, as I was starving hungry after defeating the moorland bogs on the three activations that day.&nbsp;</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EW0tY8u_LYc/XHURSkkWxrI/AAAAAAAAJSA/5KHVTUUl7vsDgHVjGz3GXltCgXkzWzL8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Parking%2BCairnharrow%2BGM-SS191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EW0tY8u_LYc/XHURSkkWxrI/AAAAAAAAJSA/5KHVTUUl7vsDgHVjGz3GXltCgXkzWzL8QCLcBGAs/s640/Parking%2BCairnharrow%2BGM-SS191.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Parking place near gate at NX 525542 - Cairnharrow seen in background</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first target on day two was the nearby summit of Cairnharrow GM/SS-191. I drove up the lane off the A75 to grid ref NX520531 and turned left on the broken tarmac road running NNE. I got to the cow barn at 525546 where the road was narrow and muddy. I was able to just turn the car round here without getting stuck, returning to a gate and parking place at 525542. From here I walked back to the cow barn and followed the line of the wall up to the corner at 53391 55268 where there was a through stoned wall stile giving access to the moor leading up to the summit - you will find my track in the SOTA Mapping Project.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tdTw32Kzis/XHUSAxfJ11I/AAAAAAAAJSI/w4rqZyIWbqse11KWiI_5u-5xyCtUIbEDACLcBGAs/s1600/Access%2Bpoint%2BSS-191%2BNX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tdTw32Kzis/XHUSAxfJ11I/AAAAAAAAJSI/w4rqZyIWbqse11KWiI_5u-5xyCtUIbEDACLcBGAs/s640/Access%2Bpoint%2BSS-191%2BNX.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wall access point leads you on to the excellent quad track pictured below:</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sA1M9ccVOOo/XHUSR3tMFGI/AAAAAAAAJSQ/KduHJbkLCK0tN7uYpyXTSlPb1FMlQPpLACLcBGAs/s1600/Quad%2Btrack%2Bto%2BCairnharrow%2BGM-SS191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sA1M9ccVOOo/XHUSR3tMFGI/AAAAAAAAJSQ/KduHJbkLCK0tN7uYpyXTSlPb1FMlQPpLACLcBGAs/s640/Quad%2Btrack%2Bto%2BCairnharrow%2BGM-SS191.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It took 57 minutes from my car to reach the trig point, which was over the wall and out of the wind, and the best place to set up my station:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dv569nymCG0/XHUSdBAk6uI/AAAAAAAAJSU/XWtE-U3N7f0K9J4qBuUq-3MQpcp59-QawCLcBGAs/s1600/Cairnharrow%2BGM-SS191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dv569nymCG0/XHUSdBAk6uI/AAAAAAAAJSU/XWtE-U3N7f0K9J4qBuUq-3MQpcp59-QawCLcBGAs/s640/Cairnharrow%2BGM-SS191.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtFIcHC5jeY/XHUaN-xQUCI/AAAAAAAAJSs/xS9tyPpje6wNCvU80CTwIif1ov5JYVdfwCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="851" height="584" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtFIcHC5jeY/XHUaN-xQUCI/AAAAAAAAJSs/xS9tyPpje6wNCvU80CTwIif1ov5JYVdfwCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I concentrated my operating on the 7 MHz band and made 27 contacts - phone was disappointing with just three callers, yet on CW I had 24 contacts! A call on 2m FM yielded just one caller - Victor GI4ONL near Bushmills who I had already worked on 40m CW. I heard Nick G4OOE/P operating from Ingleborough G/NP-005 on 145.400 MHz, however my 5 watts and whip antenna was not powerful enough to make contact. I also briefly heard John G4YSS but he dissapeared after I called him back - I think John was mobile and travelling between summits in the Yorkshire Dales - this would have been at around 0935z.&nbsp; After 25 minutes operating I closed down, to allow time to reach the parking place for the walk to Queensberry GM/SS-072, which was 40 miles north east of Cairnharrow.&nbsp; This final photo is the view north to Pibble Hill SS-232 and Cairnsmore of Fleet SS-065. The Cambret Hill TV relay station can be seen slightly left of centre :</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ_IqQ2XHmM/XHUTAMmI7-I/AAAAAAAAJSg/3eKWdzUeeI4JvbtaoGAc9E2rUwnPjz-YgCLcBGAs/s1600/View%2Bnorth%2Bto%2BPibble%2BHill%2Bfrom%2BCairnharrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ_IqQ2XHmM/XHUTAMmI7-I/AAAAAAAAJSg/3eKWdzUeeI4JvbtaoGAc9E2rUwnPjz-YgCLcBGAs/s640/View%2Bnorth%2Bto%2BPibble%2BHill%2Bfrom%2BCairnharrow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Return walk to Cairnharrow - 3.2 miles with 930 feet ascent</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-87388210388077996022019-02-21T23:59:00.000+00:002019-03-04T09:40:04.943+00:00Bengray, White Top of Culreoch and Pibble Hill - 21 Feb 2019<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had planned to activate three summits in the Borders area over two days this week, however accommodation at the Tushielaw Inn near Selkirk was unconfirmed the day before I travelled so I decided to go west into Dumfries and Galloway and activate some unique summits there. I booked an accommodation in the right place the day before I travelled which was good and cheap for the solo traveller, so off I went...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Timing</u>:&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Depart Pickering: 0550z</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">GM/SS-238 <u>Bengray</u> s</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">tart walk:10:03 arrive:11:04 Depart:11:48 return car:12:34</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">GM/SS-245 <u>White Top of Culreoch</u> s</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">tart walk:13:09 arrive:13:43 depart:14:41 return car:15:04</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">GM/SS-232 <u>Pibble Hill</u> start walk: 15:41 arrive:16:29 depart: 17:11 return car:17:54</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">As I expected, this was a long day, however my overnight stay in Creetown was only a few miles from the parking place for Pibble Hill....</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Equipment: Elecraft KX2, link dipole on 5m pole, Yaesu VX-170 RH770 whip</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>GM/SS-238 Bengray</u>&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The C class road north from Gatehouse of Fleet led me to the parking place for Bengray at Laghead Bridge. A core path leads from here to Loch Whinyeon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HH7LmaikLYs/XHPZsSb32gI/AAAAAAAAJPw/eAQZdRkQdgcdcR3swvjozMPkdGHqbxFigCLcBGAs/s1600/Parking%2Bfor%2BBengray%2BGM-SS238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HH7LmaikLYs/XHPZsSb32gI/AAAAAAAAJPw/eAQZdRkQdgcdcR3swvjozMPkdGHqbxFigCLcBGAs/s640/Parking%2Bfor%2BBengray%2BGM-SS238.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5yhb2G3fvA/XHPZ3YwhilI/AAAAAAAAJP0/K1iGQREpL7g0TgJBZqNa569DUl5iWeMVgCLcBGAs/s1600/Signed%2Bpath%2Bat%2BBengray%2Bcar%2Bpark%2Bplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1600" height="221" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5yhb2G3fvA/XHPZ3YwhilI/AAAAAAAAJP0/K1iGQREpL7g0TgJBZqNa569DUl5iWeMVgCLcBGAs/s320/Signed%2Bpath%2Bat%2BBengray%2Bcar%2Bpark%2Bplace.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I used the core path for about a half mile before heading off on uncharted territory towards Bengray over the top of Benfadyeon. I used occasional quad tracks before reaching the fence and wall where I turned up to follow right to the highest point. I stopped at the wall outside of the wood and well within the 25m drop activation zone - noting that the contour spacing on the 25K OS map in this area is 5 metres.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made one single contact on 2m FM - with Derek 2E0MIX&nbsp; in Cumbria. This was not surprising as I was using a VX-170 with the RH770 whip. 40m was rather disappointing and I closed down after 13 contacts on that band:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-MFtNFBOLA/XHPaWGNt5AI/AAAAAAAAJQA/Z5sbxLUaYAUlHiF6F2LB8ATuN2QcfxTkwCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="553" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-MFtNFBOLA/XHPaWGNt5AI/AAAAAAAAJQA/Z5sbxLUaYAUlHiF6F2LB8ATuN2QcfxTkwCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVICAIH1VKc/XHPegeEDlfI/AAAAAAAAJQs/7mmjaM2fZZEoPIMlC7fBfmKMvHF9H-P0ACLcBGAs/s1600/Bengray%2BGM-SS238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVICAIH1VKc/XHPegeEDlfI/AAAAAAAAJQs/7mmjaM2fZZEoPIMlC7fBfmKMvHF9H-P0ACLcBGAs/s640/Bengray%2BGM-SS238.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Visibility was poor in mist both ways and I returned via a slightly different route avoiding the climb over Benfadyeon. Looking back a better route may have been possible via Burnt Mound:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOEglwD4QtI/XHPaffpPzpI/AAAAAAAAJQE/a98R3lAiYLQ8zEaacMMH_Z3frpi4SoEMACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="1044" height="362" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOEglwD4QtI/XHPaffpPzpI/AAAAAAAAJQE/a98R3lAiYLQ8zEaacMMH_Z3frpi4SoEMACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B199.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A short drive took me to the track leading to SS-245 White Top of Culreoch.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>GM/SS-245 White Top of Culreoch</u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCU-lusdnN8/XHPd3k5olOI/AAAAAAAAJQg/Ho1n_okx2ZAnzyY0gursJu2-26yptEylQCLcBGAs/s1600/Parking%2BGM-SS245%2BWhite%2BTop%2Bof%2BCulreoch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCU-lusdnN8/XHPd3k5olOI/AAAAAAAAJQg/Ho1n_okx2ZAnzyY0gursJu2-26yptEylQCLcBGAs/s640/Parking%2BGM-SS245%2BWhite%2BTop%2Bof%2BCulreoch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">An excellent graded forestry road with no restrictions or gates took me to NX602624 where there is a parking bay and turning point, pictured above.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YmafODxGZBw/XHPcnNJp5vI/AAAAAAAAJQU/vMwnWRr4ysg_8XDi7fO1M7mPnUa47A5YACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="693" height="496" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YmafODxGZBw/XHPcnNJp5vI/AAAAAAAAJQU/vMwnWRr4ysg_8XDi7fO1M7mPnUa47A5YACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The fence and wall was followed until the summit was neared where the fence was climbed at a strainer post. The forest was felled some years ago and as the top was neared the remaining brash was encountered for a short distance.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A call on 2m with the handheld netted two contacts into Wales. HF was fairly successful with a further 20 contacts:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tyH72Ljm8U/XHPhLlBDiNI/AAAAAAAAJQ4/3v24ZoW46YMmLd76clhrP_m3kGqNr6CmQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1263" height="354" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tyH72Ljm8U/XHPhLlBDiNI/AAAAAAAAJQ4/3v24ZoW46YMmLd76clhrP_m3kGqNr6CmQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was just time to reach Pibble Hill and activate that summit before going to my accommodation for the night in Creetown...&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>GM/SS-232 Pibble Hill</u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The summit was approached from the south from parking near the cattle grid on the Corse of Slakes Road NX525584. There was no recognisable path, just a boggy moor with the occasional faint quad track to follow, never too far from the substantial stone wall on the left.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PacpciKgzy4/XHPsL1_B89I/AAAAAAAAJRU/cn-Zj24P1mgq3WpkizUR9Hj_FotSs4zVgCLcBGAs/s1600/Moor%2Bleading%2Bto%2BPibble%2BHill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PacpciKgzy4/XHPsL1_B89I/AAAAAAAAJRU/cn-Zj24P1mgq3WpkizUR9Hj_FotSs4zVgCLcBGAs/s640/Moor%2Bleading%2Bto%2BPibble%2BHill.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pibble Hill ahead on the moor - I will not be going back again</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was mid February and mild - this was the 3rd hairy caterpillar I had seen on the moor, so I photographed it:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Yv4x0eTvDY/XHPt9a08v7I/AAAAAAAAJRk/MuPKopgM6jU_bHFy4vbEKW3tclO9O60XgCLcBGAs/s1600/Caterpillar%2BPibble%2BHill%2BMoorland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Yv4x0eTvDY/XHPt9a08v7I/AAAAAAAAJRk/MuPKopgM6jU_bHFy4vbEKW3tclO9O60XgCLcBGAs/s640/Caterpillar%2BPibble%2BHill%2BMoorland.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made for the wall junction at NX 53333 60553 where there was a support for my pole at the wall junction. 20 contacts on the 40m band were quickly made in CW/SSB and I went QRT feeling cold as the mist was down again at 1700z.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rudyXI5cNvg/XHPsC3aBQ-I/AAAAAAAAJRY/CPOP2teyivwxiW8OPk4DOruDcwBIg9_AACEwYBhgL/s1600/Pibble%2BHill%2BGM-SS-232%2Bactivation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rudyXI5cNvg/XHPsC3aBQ-I/AAAAAAAAJRY/CPOP2teyivwxiW8OPk4DOruDcwBIg9_AACEwYBhgL/s640/Pibble%2BHill%2BGM-SS-232%2Bactivation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Distance walked in the day: 8.2 miles with 2000 feet ascent</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-28621005326961060432019-02-13T16:43:00.001+00:002019-02-14T10:23:13.679+00:00G4OBK 2018 ARRL DXCC Challenge Submission<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've just submitted my annual DXCC endorsement claim to the ARRL. Whilst I hadn't been particularly active in 2018 hunting DX stations I have been more active as a DXer than in recent years, with my main interest at present in Amateur Radio remaining in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sota.org.uk/" target="_blank">Summits On The Air (SOTA)</a>.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the course of the year I managed to pick up 19 Logbook of the World (LoTW) credits. This was mainly due to two reasons - the newly developed Machine Mode called FT8, where I have used the WSJT-X software over HF radio to provide datamode credits. When the ARRL allowed Kosovo into the DXCC scheme as a valid country this encouraged me get back on and try to work that country on all bands.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So this was how my 2018 claim worked out:</span></span><br /><br /><span separator="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHIEvUc_n0o/XGREUuwFX_I/AAAAAAAAJKc/jcNEf4VSDSQim_dsusSswXJ3qh02GDO7QCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="934" height="330" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHIEvUc_n0o/XGREUuwFX_I/AAAAAAAAJKc/jcNEf4VSDSQim_dsusSswXJ3qh02GDO7QCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B184.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I decided not to submit paper QSLs this year as I only have two, and the cost of an on-line submission with field checking in the UK by Lionel G5LP would cost me an inflationary $20 plus postage, just for two QSL cards to be checked! The cost of submitting the 19 credits for checking via LoTW however was a more economical $14.27.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span arial="" font-family:="" quot="" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I claimed Z6 Kosovo as a new DXCC Country in LoTW in Mixed, Phone, CW and Data modes and with DXCC Challenge counters on all bands completed from 160m through to 6m, barring the 10m band for which I have a paper QSL for a contact with Z61DX. The other paper QSL I received this year (Thanks to RU4SS) was for a contact with EZ8BO (Turkmenistan) on the 12 metre band in 2004. Amateur radio has been banned in that country now for some years and the operator Eugeny is now "silent key".&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span arial="" font-family:="" font-size:="" helvetica="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xx-small="">I remember all the DX contacts claimed very well - a few were routine, such as HB9CXZ Switzerland on 160m FT8 - my first HB9 credit for a datamode surprisingly...&nbsp; The other datamode confirmations (thanks to the new FT8 mode) were BH1TSU China (17m), ZP6ARO Parguay (20m), D44TWO Cape Verde (160m), RI1ANL Antarctica (15m) and PJ4P (17m) and a new counter point for the DXCC Challenge.&nbsp;</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After I cleared up Kosovo for the DXCC Challenge bands, additionally I worked 9K2NO Kuwait on 6m CW, VK9XG Christmas Island on 80m CW and lastly EP6RRC Iran on 30m CW for three more Challenge Points putting me at 2928 Challenge Points and No. 1 Honour Roll Phone / Mixed Mode with all 340 DXCC Countries confirmed. In CW the two countries I haven't yet worked are P5 North Korea and FT\W Crozet Island.&nbsp;</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nghllevguJs/XGRFY47ZOrI/AAAAAAAAJKk/wjZBS0Cgb8INqpHbUnlIrgNJn9WIXcs_ACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="427" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nghllevguJs/XGRFY47ZOrI/AAAAAAAAJKk/wjZBS0Cgb8INqpHbUnlIrgNJn9WIXcs_ACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B185.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I now need 72 DXCC Challenge Points to reach my lifetime target of 3000 points.&nbsp; It remains to be seen if this is achievable with my current station, as this is entirely dependent on the effects of the sun on the next one or two solar cycles and for how long into old age that I am able to continue operating.&nbsp;</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-65684534405738601072019-01-31T22:59:00.000+00:002019-02-16T10:53:17.226+00:00Hensbarrow Beacon - Cornwall in a day from Wales<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was in Cardiff on business last week and this presented an opportunity for me to re-visit the newly positioned summit of G/DC-008 Hensbarrow Beacon, near St Austell, Cornwall. This meant driving 380 miles return from Cardiff via Bristol, where I met up with my friend Geoff Fielding M0PYG who lives near Malvern. We were together the last time we activated <a href="http://catterblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/my-completion-of-devon-cornwall-summits.html" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Hensbarrow in 2014</a><b style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;</b>for SOTA.<b style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;</b>That operation was from the trig point in a thunder and lightning storm, when Geoff got flashed with static, a quite frightening experience when green sparks were travelling from the shaft of his umbrella on to his hand! In 2014 on that same day we also activated Brown Willy near Jamaica Inn - but there was no point going there again today for the sake of a few points.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Quote from Wikipedia via CCL:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Geographically, the hill is also the highest point of the St Austell Downs, a large region of downland to the north-west of&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Austell" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="St Austell">St Austell</a>. The large degree of separation between it and&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodmin_Moor" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Bodmin Moor">Bodmin Moor</a>&nbsp;to the north-east gives it enough&nbsp;<a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_height" style="background: none; color: #0b0080;" title="">relative height</a>&nbsp;to make it a natural&nbsp;<a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_(hill)" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Marilyn (hill)">Marilyn</a>, although the official Marilyn has been moved to the top of the highest&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoil_tip" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Spoil tip">spoil tip</a>.&nbsp;(its parent is&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Willy" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Brown Willy">Brown Willy</a>)"</i></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The reason I had to return to this God forsaken place was to set my station up among some rocks on the highest point on the spoil heap which was created by the&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Littlejohn / Gunheath China Clay Mining company and re-complete activating all 175 English summits. This is the Cornwall most visitors coming here never see - the exploitation of the land for minerals but of course Cornwall has has this exploitation for centuries.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-VrkpFkyGQ/XFdq1q0e-TI/AAAAAAAAJJM/Sy7VQ5-1J_AuhI-8305H7SB-xNKOx_FHwCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="950" height="374" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-VrkpFkyGQ/XFdq1q0e-TI/AAAAAAAAJJM/Sy7VQ5-1J_AuhI-8305H7SB-xNKOx_FHwCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B177.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">In 2017 the Relative Hills of Britain group surveyed the area and determined that the official position of the Marilyn Summit be moved to the top of the spoil heap. As this is in excess of 25 meters height above the trig point, then the SOTA reference point was also moved. This meant that I was no longer the only SOTA Activator to activate and chase all English Summits - no one had actually "done it" when I had before - hence the need to re-visit the area and do it again...&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">I met Geoff at Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, North Bristol at 8.00 am, and from there I drove us both down the M5 and A30 to reach a turn off at a new service area near Roche.&nbsp; The summit car parking place at SW 992575 is less than 4 miles from the A30 roundabout.&nbsp; The map above shows the path we took passing the original summit position. We saw a gap in the bank to the east of the trig and that led us on to the spoil heap access track and one on that it was an easy climb on to the top of the heap. A pile of large stones marked "Boulders" on the map rovided some cover from the wind and the rain, when it came.&nbsp; Our return path follows the mine company's roads and no vehicles or persons were seen in the time we were there.&nbsp;</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1a9RIYk7_Q/XFdtDQ_LLTI/AAAAAAAAJJg/O5w5yRkUg4UV8RH-4yRgnXyXxPSDMy2MQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190124_111305968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1a9RIYk7_Q/XFdtDQ_LLTI/AAAAAAAAJJg/O5w5yRkUg4UV8RH-4yRgnXyXxPSDMy2MQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190124_111305968.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Miserable weather walking on Hensbarrow Beacon - the nearest highest point to Brown Willy</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6hBG9LxSls/XFdsXGkCGII/AAAAAAAAJJY/FAUp4OXSHk0JfC40OzwriT3rZvaosoeuwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190124_112510648_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6hBG9LxSls/XFdsXGkCGII/AAAAAAAAJJY/FAUp4OXSHk0JfC40OzwriT3rZvaosoeuwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190124_112510648_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Geoff M0PYG by the boulders where we set up the station</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvcBHT7lYYQ/XFdtlx0x6lI/AAAAAAAAJJs/rC5X1PkPCVQn0JWX4DuLevn7wcutm_NSgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190124_111511099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvcBHT7lYYQ/XFdtlx0x6lI/AAAAAAAAJJs/rC5X1PkPCVQn0JWX4DuLevn7wcutm_NSgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20190124_111511099.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking towards the freshly painted trig point with the spoil heap and the new summit behind it</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TOEDPMODjI/XGVDuN98eAI/AAAAAAAAJLA/bTKzmSZGQmcn47xjBYGh-r9o0EUyX115QCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="679" height="518" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TOEDPMODjI/XGVDuN98eAI/AAAAAAAAJLA/bTKzmSZGQmcn47xjBYGh-r9o0EUyX115QCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B187.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: small;">HF Contacts completed from Hensbarrow Beacon by G4OBK/P on 24 January 2019</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A shout on 2m FM with a handheld and whip raised Don G0RQL in Holsworthy. After that nothing else was heard, so we set up on 40m (7 MHz) for CW and SSB and made another 34 contacts between us. The rain came on half way through the HF operation so my golf umbrella was deployed to keep the rain off the FT-857 - 50 watts to a link dipole.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had some lunch at the services on the A30 before heading back to Bristol where Geoff had parked his car.&nbsp;</span></div></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-67458705578545090112019-01-03T23:00:00.000+00:002019-01-12T13:40:40.419+00:00Two days activating SOTA in the Scottish Borders - Ward Law GM/SS-119<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJkXLkMabPM/XDmYUzK6QoI/AAAAAAAAJFI/hqd4QPQv1O83k4zeyc7Lzc1esmAnEj6YwCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="965" height="580" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJkXLkMabPM/XDmYUzK6QoI/AAAAAAAAJFI/hqd4QPQv1O83k4zeyc7Lzc1esmAnEj6YwCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B146.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A poor walk route up on the right side and a good route coming down on the left side of the map</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I don't recommend the route I took climbing up to Ward Law - poor ground for walking over and onwards from Ramseycleuch Kip into a depression on rough ground, before climbing again.</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CuNLmtAu6Q/XDnRV5dxtWI/AAAAAAAAJFc/XJJlEY9jxj0NSiP_07jigFgeh2NI0nruwCLcBGAs/s1600/On%2Bascent%2BWard%2BLaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CuNLmtAu6Q/XDnRV5dxtWI/AAAAAAAAJFc/XJJlEY9jxj0NSiP_07jigFgeh2NI0nruwCLcBGAs/s640/On%2Bascent%2BWard%2BLaw.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">On the ascent of Ward Law - before the ground got rough Ramseycleuch Farm is at the bottom of the hill</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When I reached the summit I found a ladder stile, a deer fence and the Jubilee Cairn - not just a rough pile of stones like I had encountered on Ettrick Pen earlier that day. I set up initially on 2m FM with my handheld and dipole and immediately heard Colin M1BUU/P calling CQ SOTA from the summit of G/NP-004 Whernside - first contact summit to summit which bode well for a successful activation.&nbsp; Next call it was Derek Edge 2E0MIX in Whitehaven, good DX for the equipment used at my end for sure.... 20 minutes later when the FM radio signal broke the squelch it was a call from G3TQQ/P - so I left HF CW to one side for a couple of minutes to work another two S2S contacts - Nick G4OOE with Dave G3TQQ who were both on G/NP-016 Dodd Fell. That was me done on 2m FM, so like on Ettrick Pen earlier, the summit could have been qualified with just 5 watts and a dipole on VHF thanks to other operators mainly operating from high places.&nbsp; Good to see that part of the radio spectrum getting plenty of attention in Northern England and Southern Scotland by the SOTA gang...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ST1pAb3vk1A/XDnQlN5pHwI/AAAAAAAAJFU/hKYExWrbY0s6-AozMtw4bCXCANtD-ToyACLcBGAs/s1600/Ward%2BLaw%2BGM-SS-119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ST1pAb3vk1A/XDnQlN5pHwI/AAAAAAAAJFU/hKYExWrbY0s6-AozMtw4bCXCANtD-ToyACLcBGAs/s640/Ward%2BLaw%2BGM-SS-119.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Summit of Ward Law - 5m pole inverted vee link dipole - KX2<br />15 contacts on 20m and 40m CW:&nbsp;USA (2) and EU (13) were worked</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">From the summit when it was time to leave, I looked below for where the sheep were grazing and headed for them, grazing on the few green areas of grass left on the flank of the hill. It was far drier and smoother than my chosen route up for sure - and an effective quad track was found leading to the sheepfold at NT 26181524 (Slightly out of position on the OS 1:25K map). I had parked in the parking area at NT 273142, but on reflection I would have been better parking at the former School or Memorial Hall at 266144 and climbing the hill from there, the way I came down.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQAXpEkkBYc/XDnTGSSQS4I/AAAAAAAAJFo/Qn2Sjk0qN7gKR2GVwDJgr2lwtF-_wKftACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190103_152124846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQAXpEkkBYc/XDnTGSSQS4I/AAAAAAAAJFo/Qn2Sjk0qN7gKR2GVwDJgr2lwtF-_wKftACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190103_152124846.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sheepfold I made for at NT 26181524 (Slightly out of position on the OS 1:25K map)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Walk started 12:57 - Ward Law reached at 14:04 - 67 minutes.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ward Law departed 15:09 -&nbsp; my vehicle reached south of Ettrick at 16:03 - 54 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The GPX track was shared in the SOTA Mapping Project, and I recommend the downward route.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRllvXgm-3k/XDnT1ewMWCI/AAAAAAAAJFw/Wv7s_lpi9QI0oJOiH1I0NP6k2yw8c-BqQCLcBGAs/s1600/Below%2Bthe%2Bsheepfold%2BWard%2BLaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRllvXgm-3k/XDnT1ewMWCI/AAAAAAAAJFw/Wv7s_lpi9QI0oJOiH1I0NP6k2yw8c-BqQCLcBGAs/s640/Below%2Bthe%2Bsheepfold%2BWard%2BLaw.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Below the sheepfold mentioned looking to the row of houses (No access) and sheep pens to the right <br />The white house on the extreme right middle is Ettrickhill NT 2627 1440</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I'll be heading up north again as soon as I get the chance, and will stay overnight at the Tushielaw Inn, Ettrick Valley again. The evening meal and bed and breakfast were excellent - too excellent in fact, I ate too much. Next time I will be targeting Broad Law SS-029, Dun Rig SS-052 and Deuchar Law SS-144. Let's hope the snow stays away, I don't enjoy getting cold sat on the top of a snowy summit.</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-90024744247087925672019-01-03T22:00:00.000+00:002019-01-12T07:21:04.010+00:00Two days activating SOTA in the Scottish Borders - Ettrick Pen GM/SS-074<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hT4e6cNTFHg/XDmL_XENanI/AAAAAAAAJD4/LLP-CzfoHdIS978ZfEbica2YuhUQ5ZaKwCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1100" height="452" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hT4e6cNTFHg/XDmL_XENanI/AAAAAAAAJD4/LLP-CzfoHdIS978ZfEbica2YuhUQ5ZaKwCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B145.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My walk route</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a good nights kip and big breakfast at the Tushielaw Inn in the Ettrick Valley I drove south west to the end of the road near Potburn and parked at NT 189092 - which is the end of the public road.&nbsp; On the way I passed by Ward Law - a summit I planned to climb in the afternoon.&nbsp;</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YT309Rk9aHo/XDmOt0D-uKI/AAAAAAAAJEE/en_u6O6pXYoi5DxmRvN-PyeOyeES7CZDwCLcBGAs/s1600/Parking%2Bfor%2BEttrick%2BPen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YT309Rk9aHo/XDmOt0D-uKI/AAAAAAAAJEE/en_u6O6pXYoi5DxmRvN-PyeOyeES7CZDwCLcBGAs/s640/Parking%2Bfor%2BEttrick%2BPen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Parking place for Ettrick Pen</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xg08BoW35CQ/XDmPE43SUmI/AAAAAAAAJEM/KST612TlSxgV6kC5Fykg00Q8SUqJMpUtgCLcBGAs/s1600/Potburn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xg08BoW35CQ/XDmPE43SUmI/AAAAAAAAJEM/KST612TlSxgV6kC5Fykg00Q8SUqJMpUtgCLcBGAs/s640/Potburn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Unoccupied farmstead at Potburn</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The steady walk to the summit took me 75 minutes and I stopped off to look inside the Over Phawhope Bothy at 181081 and meet Maud from Edinburgh by chance, who had just got up after staying overnight in the bothy. The bothy was extremely cosy and Maud told me she'd slept on the sofa in the property overnight.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIGrOsOQX80/XDmQMlNR2iI/AAAAAAAAJEc/sMhBpdpFsGc5rSCh6n8F3_XR8G2jXMIBQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190103_092734026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIGrOsOQX80/XDmQMlNR2iI/AAAAAAAAJEc/sMhBpdpFsGc5rSCh6n8F3_XR8G2jXMIBQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190103_092734026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4XhMzcWGfs/XDmQkh5c63I/AAAAAAAAJEo/SVJ0FDcgnp8Xo5QNvY_wzXs45Ui6mu7RQCLcBGAs/s1600/Inside%2BOver%2BPhawhope%2BBothy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4XhMzcWGfs/XDmQkh5c63I/AAAAAAAAJEo/SVJ0FDcgnp8Xo5QNvY_wzXs45Ui6mu7RQCLcBGAs/s640/Inside%2BOver%2BPhawhope%2BBothy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Over Phawhope Bothy - inside &amp; out</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proceeding on the track gave way to moor near the sheepfold shown on the map at 190076 and I found a foot beaten track around some newly planted trees which took me up towards the fenceline and then south east to the highest point where the three fences meet and where there is a big pile of stones for shelter. The route taken has been shared in the tracks section of the SOTA Mapping Project.&nbsp;</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1DqJ8qY8RVU/XDmTVEFAefI/AAAAAAAAJE4/PJyPUeVF5QojmeOQI3UgILKmRGopdnr5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Ettrick%2BPen%2BGM-SS-074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1DqJ8qY8RVU/XDmTVEFAefI/AAAAAAAAJE4/PJyPUeVF5QojmeOQI3UgILKmRGopdnr5ACLcBGAs/s640/Ettrick%2BPen%2BGM-SS-074.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The pile of stones on Ettrick Pen</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I set up and spent 45 minutes on the air. I could have qualified this summit with my VX-170 handheld and vertical on 2m FM - five contacts were made with this, including a summit contact with G4OOE and G3TQQ on G/NP-015 Great Knoutberry Hill in the Yorkshire Dales. The 40m band kept me busy though, with 26 EU callers in Morse but only 2 contacts on phone, despite repeated CQ calls. I gave up at 11:16z and packed up, reaching my car at 12:28z for my lunch prior to driving back up the valley for the final summit of my two day trip, Ward Law.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-3842111040566418702019-01-02T23:30:00.000+00:002019-01-12T06:32:23.593+00:00Two days activating SOTA in the Scottish Borders - Law Kneis GM/SS-168<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SROL-d1p65k/XDh-2M9tvNI/AAAAAAAAJCo/Xvx3std04-c5_QrgP9pPHdVZUs3335vLACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190102_143016707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SROL-d1p65k/XDh-2M9tvNI/AAAAAAAAJCo/Xvx3std04-c5_QrgP9pPHdVZUs3335vLACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190102_143016707.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Parking for Law Kneis by B709 NT 280130 - exit on foot via frosty footbridge to Forest Track - Start 14:30 return 17:30.&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My research on climbing Law Kneis led me to the <i><a href="https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sub2000/sub2000-a-z" target="_blank">walkhighlands sub2000s</a></i> web page where I found several "tales of woe" describing efforts from hillwalkers who had climbed it. In the end I opted for the steep and awkward climb by the side of White Sike burn to reach the forest track. I then followed an awkward and difficult forest ride to the summit itself. You'll see from the map that I did not return alongside White Sike - it was too dangerous to contemplate descending this way in the dark, the wide graded forestry track traversing the side of Deephope Hill was an excellent alternative, and as I was walking down I wished I had gone up that way:</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C9r5SRGJ1Q4/XDiDghII_0I/AAAAAAAAJC0/JKf80mKHB-AD1l3ZK7CrO4by6DkrJAuEwCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="982" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C9r5SRGJ1Q4/XDiDghII_0I/AAAAAAAAJC0/JKf80mKHB-AD1l3ZK7CrO4by6DkrJAuEwCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I don't recommend the rough walk route up by White Sike. Future activators may have no choice but to tackle the forest ride which heads east from 286133 though, unless they know of anything easier. There were around 10 fallen trees to negotiate in this forest gap on the ride and the boggy sections were all frozen, so it wasn't all bad - not that I will be returning for what is just a one point 498m high summit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oe6QBKeL_fM/XDiFMO4m9aI/AAAAAAAAJDA/G_-daj6zAoM_QAzj0IwodOEdwhYfP5R_gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190102_150100866_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oe6QBKeL_fM/XDiFMO4m9aI/AAAAAAAAJDA/G_-daj6zAoM_QAzj0IwodOEdwhYfP5R_gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190102_150100866_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">At NT 286133 on the graded track looking down on the Angecroft Cottage Caravan Site&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span id="goog_2015719340"></span><span id="goog_2015719341"></span>As I exited the forest almost on the highest point it was approaching dusk and I found a place along the old fence. The posts were rotten, but strong enough to support my aerial pole and home brew link dipole:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FF63EdjYS4s/XDiGuoa4THI/AAAAAAAAJDU/RoFFduY2mrI3Jbt9UDRiirVA0i34mHAlgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190102_153139960_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FF63EdjYS4s/XDiGuoa4THI/AAAAAAAAJDU/RoFFduY2mrI3Jbt9UDRiirVA0i34mHAlgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190102_153139960_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Darkness fell and my headlight was used to allow me to continue the activation....</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3MxZJUHbSo/XDiGth0iJnI/AAAAAAAAJDM/s7SrYzGBcnMxKlk6GvoRH7LlbwSBo-3uQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190102_161801702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3MxZJUHbSo/XDiGth0iJnI/AAAAAAAAJDM/s7SrYzGBcnMxKlk6GvoRH7LlbwSBo-3uQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190102_161801702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IC00QqO6Q50/XDiNC7-S4FI/AAAAAAAAJDs/zA6favahov0gBz5rU6I21lGmo7dV1l4OwCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="1132" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IC00QqO6Q50/XDiNC7-S4FI/AAAAAAAAJDs/zA6favahov0gBz5rU6I21lGmo7dV1l4OwCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B143.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">HF operation on 20m, 30m and 40m was successful, 18 contacts were completed, including K3TCU and K4DY in USA. The usual lightweight KX2 and link dipole at 5m AGL were used.&nbsp; Unsurprisingly from such a remote place, VHF with a handheld with long whip fastened to the fence post was ineffective. Constant monitoring on 145.500 MHz for almost an hour proved fruitless...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ed2CL_wH7FA/XDiGuXkDOGI/AAAAAAAAJDQ/uNHtGDd4MwEbX5zv305inJXfcRx_yTuAACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190102_161839799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ed2CL_wH7FA/XDiGuXkDOGI/AAAAAAAAJDQ/uNHtGDd4MwEbX5zv305inJXfcRx_yTuAACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190102_161839799.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Here is the bag I won in the SOTA raffle at Ham Radio in 2018 - I use it stowing my aerial etc in my rucksack:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-td_60Ji8ETw/XDiGvWNzHbI/AAAAAAAAJDY/Yc7PdWAXXDA12Z-MFj_1MbUHpAfsgL4ggCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190102_162343999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-td_60Ji8ETw/XDiGvWNzHbI/AAAAAAAAJDY/Yc7PdWAXXDA12Z-MFj_1MbUHpAfsgL4ggCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190102_162343999.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Walking off was most enjoyable with the headlight illuminating the sparkling frost in the ground surface throughout the length of the forest ride. The decision to take the safer track pictured above was made - once I overcame the bad step down the bank on to it. My car was reached exactly 3 hours after leaving it. The GPX track for this route both ways is lodged in the <i><a href="https://www.sotamaps.org/tracks" target="_blank">SOTA Mapping Project Tracks page.&nbsp;</a></i></span></div></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-28222927296332376242019-01-02T22:00:00.000+00:002019-01-11T10:55:15.247+00:00Two days activating SOTA in the Scottish Borders - White Coomb GM/SS-030<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The long range weather forecast on New Years Eve was settled for several days ahead so I decided then to have an early start on January 2nd and head back up to Scotland to visit summits I had seen, but not climbed.&nbsp; I booked in for an overnight stay at the Tushielaw Inn, which lies in the Ettrick Valley - a pub which is surrounded by Marilyn Summits, some of which I had already climbed.&nbsp; The pub had been fully booked for the New Years Eve festivities, but the landlord Rab told me on the phone there were vacancies the following night, when I was the only resident&nbsp;and as it turned out, was the only customer having a meal and enjoying a few drinks.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5S9ap5nERE/XDhee4imfvI/AAAAAAAAJBE/TprVp0YUNiAiAtINTj72K51G_ntauZTkACLcBGAs/s1600/Tushielaw%2BInn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="550" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5S9ap5nERE/XDhee4imfvI/AAAAAAAAJBE/TprVp0YUNiAiAtINTj72K51G_ntauZTkACLcBGAs/s640/Tushielaw%2BInn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tushielaw Inn</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">On my way to the pub I climbed <a href="https://www.sota.org.uk/Summit/GM/SS-030" target="_blank"><i>White Coomb GM/SS-030</i></a> near Moffat and <a href="https://www.sota.org.uk/Summit/GM/SS-168" target="_blank"><i>Law Kneis GM/SS-168</i></a> which is only three miles south of the pub.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iaX6j5Wk1W8/XDhh-6uqAuI/AAAAAAAAJBQ/pDFb50Pte58CLiQGmli0Fjgfs_aVJWMgQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190102_093246668_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iaX6j5Wk1W8/XDhh-6uqAuI/AAAAAAAAJBQ/pDFb50Pte58CLiQGmli0Fjgfs_aVJWMgQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20190102_093246668_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Leaving Pickering at 5.50 am, I was walking from the Grey Mares Tail Car Park in Moffat Dale to White Coomb at 9.20 am. Car parking is £3 per day or free if you are a National Trust Member. The popular route up to Loch Skene was quiet and empty as I climbed up beside the waterfall following the Tail Burn. The temperature when I started my walk was -4.5c, on what was a clear and beautiful morning. Without paying attention to the map of my proposed route I continued on the path for almost a kilometre more than I should have done, crossing the Tail Burn just before I reached Loch Skeen and then doubling back on myself across the moorland to rejoin the beaten path just below Rough Crags.&nbsp; My navigational error made me late and I reached the summit after almost two hours walking at 11.15 am.&nbsp; I stayed on the summit for one hour. It was cold even in the sun - but not unpleasant. The summit was visited by just one other walker while I was there. From 11:30 until 12:00 I operated on the 145 MHz FM band for SOTA and completed 20 contacts using 50 watts of power to a vertical dipole on a 5m pole. The contacts included summit contacts with G4VFL/PAndrew&nbsp; on Shillhope Law, 2E0MIX Derek on Blake Fell and G4OOE Nick with G3TQQ Dave, on Great Mell Fell. The map below shows the contacts made - the one mapping error is the contact shown in the banner. This was with G4YTD/P Tim, who was not near Hull where he lives, but Tim was actually in a camper van near Penrith!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NWBFXTfj1Y/XDhl-5gFGrI/AAAAAAAAJBk/ijqIi-o7alkpohzHySH1Qx-KGneb6NsbACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1234" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NWBFXTfj1Y/XDhl-5gFGrI/AAAAAAAAJBk/ijqIi-o7alkpohzHySH1Qx-KGneb6NsbACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9jiLr0W3EQ/XDhnziuGauI/AAAAAAAAJB4/67J2pKFLBQc0Oq7HJJkTh-AVD60rpoeMACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="920" height="437" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9jiLr0W3EQ/XDhnziuGauI/AAAAAAAAJB4/67J2pKFLBQc0Oq7HJJkTh-AVD60rpoeMACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcrrSy20fZA/XDhmQPfIMsI/AAAAAAAAJBs/aJBsP3juqQI-GPJF4sbU4fODo2hjnNwOwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190102_120257427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcrrSy20fZA/XDhmQPfIMsI/AAAAAAAAJBs/aJBsP3juqQI-GPJF4sbU4fODo2hjnNwOwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190102_120257427.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My routes both ways -&nbsp; The contacts made on 2m FM - The summit with my aerial in the cairn</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I took the more direct and correct route back, following a broken wall down to the Tail Burn, where a crossing was again made. It was just a case of climbing down this bank and crossing where the burn looked the shallowest:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeHcBG2IvIE/XDhpQ9GDzyI/AAAAAAAAJCE/7PTgCHdj9y0usDGyzDOjzzJw0OyeNHU0ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190102_130213863%2B%25281280x960%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeHcBG2IvIE/XDhpQ9GDzyI/AAAAAAAAJCE/7PTgCHdj9y0usDGyzDOjzzJw0OyeNHU0ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190102_130213863%2B%25281280x960%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Once on the main path it was like a procession. 2nd January is a Bank Holiday in Scotland and there were tens of people making their way up to Loch Skeen alongside Grey Mares Tail. The earlier empty car park was now rammed with car, vans and campers when I reached it at 13:30, after taking 75 minutes to get back down from the summit:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ6zORnCpO0/XDhqb0vRbGI/AAAAAAAAJCU/LiWG4sepczg7t0_lLlzJ_u499bJkqvi3gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190102_134144944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ6zORnCpO0/XDhqb0vRbGI/AAAAAAAAJCU/LiWG4sepczg7t0_lLlzJ_u499bJkqvi3gCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20190102_134144944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I now had a 22 mile drive to the parking place from which to climb to the remote summit of <a href="https://www.sota.org.uk/Summit/GM/SS-168" target="_blank"><i>Law Kneis GM/SS-168</i></a>. On my drive there by St Mary's Loch I was to hear G4OOE and G3TQQ on t2m FM again whilst driving - and completed a mobile contact with them when they were activating from the summit of Little Mell Fell.</span>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-64102658464702460282019-01-01T23:59:00.000+00:002019-02-14T10:29:42.745+00:00My Amateur Radio SOTA Review of 2018 at G4OBK <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Phil (G4OBK</b>) has had a very active year in amateur radio and in particular taking part in Summits On The Air (SOTA). I have done a lot of work to improve my radio station at home and I believe this has paid off.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">In the shack today with Treacle:</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;, &quot;arial&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdrSImgeBQY/XGVCqxkt3mI/AAAAAAAAJKw/SoMvD-mBOuEOpD4bUZ-tVjwFmAz2jpXGwCLcBGAs/s1600/G4OBK%2Bwith%2BTreacle%2Bin%2Bshack%2B07-01-2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdrSImgeBQY/XGVCqxkt3mI/AAAAAAAAJKw/SoMvD-mBOuEOpD4bUZ-tVjwFmAz2jpXGwCLcBGAs/s640/G4OBK%2Bwith%2BTreacle%2Bin%2Bshack%2B07-01-2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="lightbox-wrapper" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /><div class="meta" style="background: rgb(34, 34, 34); bottom: 0px; color: white; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.2s ease 0s; width: 690px;"><a class="lightbox" data-download-href="//reflector.sota.org.uk/uploads/db9433/9b80cc4038406857666351affee55b41ca5e42a2" href="http://reflector.sota.org.uk/uploads/db9433/original/3X/9/b/9b80cc4038406857666351affee55b41ca5e42a2.jpeg" style="background: transparent; color: #0088cc; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="G4OBK with Treacle in shack 07-01-2018.jpg"><span class="filename" style="float: left; margin: 6px 6px 2px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">G4OBK with Treacle in shack 07-01-2018.jpg</span><span class="informations" style="color: #a6a6a6; float: left; font-size: 1em; margin: 6px; outline: 0px; padding-right: 20px;">1280x911 626 KB</span><span class="expand" style="bottom: 4px; float: left; outline: 0px; position: absolute; right: 7px;"></span></a></div><a class="lightbox" data-download-href="//reflector.sota.org.uk/uploads/db9433/9b80cc4038406857666351affee55b41ca5e42a2" href="http://reflector.sota.org.uk/uploads/db9433/original/3X/9/b/9b80cc4038406857666351affee55b41ca5e42a2.jpeg" style="background: transparent; color: #0088cc; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="G4OBK with Treacle in shack 07-01-2018.jpg"></a></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">On the hill - on the way to White Coomb GM/SS-030 last week:</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nQQu4d15XUc/XGVC5pswitI/AAAAAAAAJK0/AK9NwCnpk7ctoola8ol3-AyALoQxODPsACLcBGAs/s1600/GM4OBK%2BWhite%2BCoomb%2BGM-SS-030%2B02-01-2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nQQu4d15XUc/XGVC5pswitI/AAAAAAAAJK0/AK9NwCnpk7ctoola8ol3-AyALoQxODPsACLcBGAs/s640/GM4OBK%2BWhite%2BCoomb%2BGM-SS-030%2B02-01-2019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="lightbox-wrapper" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="meta" style="background: rgb(34, 34, 34); bottom: 0px; color: white; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.2s ease 0s; width: 683px;"><span class="filename" style="float: left; margin: 6px 6px 2px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">GM4OBK White Coomb GM-SS-030 02-01-2019.jpg</span><span class="informations" style="color: #a6a6a6; float: left; font-size: 1em; margin: 6px; outline: 0px; padding-right: 20px;">1280x936 420 KB</span><span class="expand" style="bottom: 4px; float: left; outline: 0px; position: absolute; right: 7px;"></span></div><a class="lightbox" data-download-href="//reflector.sota.org.uk/uploads/db9433/3efb912b0b8780e1321ff720d2cd277c079a0974" href="http://reflector.sota.org.uk/uploads/db9433/original/3X/3/e/3efb912b0b8780e1321ff720d2cd277c079a0974.jpeg" style="background: transparent; color: #0088cc; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="GM4OBK White Coomb GM-SS-030 02-01-2019.jpg"></a></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Fixed &amp; Portable Stations:</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Portable:</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">My&nbsp;<b style="font-weight: bold;">Activator</b>&nbsp;station equipment remained the same as it did in 2017:<br />HF Rigs - Yaesu FT-857 - Elecraft KX2 - YouKIts HB1B with 20/30/40m link dipole on 5m pole<br />VHF Rigs - Yaesu FT1500M (50 watts) - VX-170 (5 watts) - FT270 (5 watts) with vertical end fed dipole on 5m pole or RH770 handheld whip on the handhelds.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Fixed: </b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">My&nbsp;<b style="font-weight: bold;">Chaser</b>&nbsp;station equipment was upgraded considerably in 2018 as a result of getting back on the air from a new QTH on 1st Jan 2017.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Aerials:</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The most important part of the station after being there…</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">It took 15 months and an appeal to the England &amp; Wales Government Planning Inspectorate to secure permission to erect a 12m high Tennamast in my back garden to support a Hexbeam and a 4m/6m dual band yagi. These aerials were in place by June 2018. The coaxial feeds are all Ecoflex 15 buried in the ground in BT ducting where possible. I continued to use an 80m band OCF dipole I erected in a tree in 2017, however I improved the feed arrangements for that, and raised it in the tree I have to a greater height of 48 feet. In September I fixed a 7m pole to the opposite side of the same tree and fed that from the tree base as an inverted L with a 50 feet vertical section and 80 feet long top wire at an average height of 45 feet. I now have approximately 1500 feet around and in my garden to tune the inverted L against. This aerial I use on the 160m and 60m bands. On 144 MHz I continued using a Wimo 2m 7+7 cross yagi fixed to the house. The two rotators I have are Yaesu G-1000DXC and G-450C.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">All base station radio’s used for chasing were purchased secondhand in the last 5 years:</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /><b>HF Rigs:</b> Yaesu FTDX5000 (2010 model), Icom 7300 (2016 model), Icom 7400 (2009 model), Yaesu FT-1802 (Age not known).</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The FTDX5000 is in daily use on HF up to 50 MHz, the IC7300 is my HF backup and also provides the 70 MHz band, the IC7400 has just been used this year on 2m CW/SSB. The only transceiver purchased this year came from a ham in Northern Ireland - this is the IC7300 which I collected at the Blackpool Rally in April. I had one major repair to pay for in 2018 - this was replacement of the two MRF150 PA devices in the FTDX5000 which went POP in the autumn for no apparent reason when I was running with 120 watts on FT8 on the 12m band. Yaesu UK did the repair which took just two weeks. Good job.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">So how did I do with all this equipment in my armoury? Well with more I time on my hands having fully retired at the end of March from my work as a Magistrate I spent more time in the shack, and ended the year 8 pounds heavier than when I started the year! Yes, sat on my backside in the shack does no good for keeping ones weight down… Unfortunately family members bought me chocolate, licourice and toffee for Xmas and I am slowly getting through that afterwhich I will make an effort to cut down on eating rubbish. Activating helped I’m sure to keep some weight from going on, so I hate to think what my weight would have been with without it! I was 66 in November, and the older age and extra weight means I have noticed that I am now slower climbing to the summits than I was when I stated SOTA activating in 2005.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Stats:</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">My combined QSO total in 2018 was 6090 contacts with 136 DXCC Countries.<br />Out of the 6090 contacts 3189 were CW, 2311 Phone and 590 were DATA. I started using FT8 in March, to supplement my RTTY and PSK31 operating. Hence the higher than usual DATA QSO total this year. Just a handful of these FT8 contacts were SOTA Chaser QSOs however.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Total fixed station QSOs (Mainly Chaser contacts) were 4184.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Total Activator QSOs made operating from 9 countries in two continents were 1906.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">As an all round SOTA operator I increased my SOTA Complete total to 741 by adding 143 SOTA Completes. This was helped by activations in VK2 (With VK2IO), OK (with GI4ONL and OK2PDT), and a holiday tour to Friedrichshafen with my XYL taking in activations in FL, DM, ON and OE (with OE9HRV). I further added a few activation days in GW (Solo and with M0PYG) and in GM (Solo and with M0PYG).</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I made 17401 Chaser points in the year and was top All G scorer.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I made 756 Activator point in 2018 and was top G scorer, but was beaten by GI4ONL in the All G activator category.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Looking forward to 2019 I have several Tours already booked, and I must get back to Hensbarrow Beacon later this month when I am in South Wales to Re-Complete England.The fell top assessors (The Meddlers) moved the summit reference from the trig point to the top of the slag heap some time ago and I haven’t yet got back there. I believe no one else has Completed England, so I must go back and retain my mantle!</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Plans for 2019 are already made with overseas tours planned for March, May and IN July to coincicide with the Tour de France in the FL/VO region. Thee may be something for September, we will see how the year passes and decide later.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Health:</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Reasonable with a few issues - I have a minor cardiac issue - an irregular heartbeat which surfaced a few months ago after I submitted myself to a general anaesthetic to check for Prostate Cancer, of which I am clear. However, during the tests it was discovered that I have this irregular heartbeat, so the GP has put me on a tablet for it to thin my blood as the GP says I am more likely to succumb to a stroke because of it. We carry on in SOTA activating for a few years more… I cannot see me ever giving up SOTA Chasing which I really enjoy also. As a walker anyway I continue being a part of Ryedale Walking Group of which I am the 2019 Membership Secretary. I organise at least one holiday every year for the walking group which usually includes SOTA activating as part of it.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The SOTA MT get my heartfelt thanks for all they provide by way of the SOTA infrastructure, reflector, database, website, awards and the SMP (So useful - thanks Rob DM1CM, also Andy MM0FMF for providing the much improved SOTA Cluster and to the many activators who share their information to help others via blogs, the reflector, personal messages and in the tracks page of the SMP.</div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-12043804873772108982018-12-11T23:59:00.000+00:002018-12-26T08:57:18.886+00:00SOTA GM/SS-139 Cairnkinna Hill<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I was staying in the Lake District for a short pre-Xmas break and decided to venture north of the border into Dumfries &amp; Galloway to activate some unique (to us) SOTA summits. My friend from Malvern, Geoff M0PYG, headed north up the M6 and we met at Rheged near Penrith at 9.00 am on Tuesday 11th December.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Our ambitious plan was to activate two summits in Scotland that day - in the event we only activated one.&nbsp; Due to the lack of daylight remaining we headed back to the Lake District to activate an easy summit there at 5.00 pm.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Cairnkinna Hill was the target - a 554 metre hill seven miles north west of Thornhill. We parked up off a narrow lane in a small worked out quarry at NS787005:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVTiinVdq3Q/XBdvnDLh0aI/AAAAAAAAIxI/XFzdjPR-7S4NIGl9aR3wlHQ1f95icSCrgCLcBGAs/s1600/Parking%2BCairnkinna%2BHill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVTiinVdq3Q/XBdvnDLh0aI/AAAAAAAAIxI/XFzdjPR-7S4NIGl9aR3wlHQ1f95icSCrgCLcBGAs/s640/Parking%2BCairnkinna%2BHill.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We had fine drizzle and mist as we set off uphill through the remains of an old wood. The walking was tough with bramble and brash underfoot but once we reached the broken wall at 789004 things became a little easier, albeit at a slow pace, on what was initially a steep climb.&nbsp; It took 84 minutes to reach the trig point and large cairn on the summit, which was longer than I anticipated for what was a distance of under 1.5 miles. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohO8OwjcWA0/XBdw9kpgMOI/AAAAAAAAIxU/-J3ixFep6dYEXzLPjtp0bcNDMa0ksh99ACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="778" height="564" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohO8OwjcWA0/XBdw9kpgMOI/AAAAAAAAIxU/-J3ixFep6dYEXzLPjtp0bcNDMa0ksh99ACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We easily made the required number of contacts on VHF (145 MHz) to qualify the summit for SOTA and then made our way back to the car.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92fKkqYOHpQ/XBdyNQXpcpI/AAAAAAAAIxg/bHMGl6SMac8otuE2DyybnSHF55A7GN2xQCLcBGAs/s1600/Cairnkinna%2BHill%2BGM-SS-139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92fKkqYOHpQ/XBdyNQXpcpI/AAAAAAAAIxg/bHMGl6SMac8otuE2DyybnSHF55A7GN2xQCLcBGAs/s640/Cairnkinna%2BHill%2BGM-SS-139.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Geoff M0PYG at our operating position behind the cairn of Cairnkinna Hill - equiment used was Yaesu FT-1802 - a 50 watt transceiver and half wave dipole on a 5m high pole</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Our plan was to then go east and climb Queensberry GM/SS-072, however time, daylight and the weather was against us, so we headed back south to the Lake District to activate Little Mell Fell G/LD-037, before returning to our hotel for showers and a dinner.</span></span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-63765030716396794702018-11-16T11:59:00.000+00:002018-11-16T14:12:10.094+00:00SOTA GM/SS-161 Larriston Fells Cycle / Walk<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>SOTA Cycling - is it worthwhile?</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>In this blog report I will try to analysis if SOTA <u>Cycling</u> is really worth it....</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">After leaving the track to Calkin Rig the nearest town to which is Langholm, I motored over to Newcastleton which is the nearest significant settlement to SOTA <a href="https://www.sota.org.uk/Summit/GM/SS-161" target="_blank">GM/SS-161 Larriston Fells.</a> The plan was to park at the end of the track at NY 529921 near Dinlabyre and then cycle up the Scottish side on a forest track to within 1 Km of the summit trig point on Larriston Fells. From the radio mast I would then walk.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When I reached Hermitage Bridge, 3 miles from Dinlabyre there was a road closure due to resurfacing work:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXrjsbdybuQ/W-6edrRNHsI/AAAAAAAAIqw/pztmUR9LutY2b9pLbZ5_mvI8YsDrGD9cgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181113_124244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXrjsbdybuQ/W-6edrRNHsI/AAAAAAAAIqw/pztmUR9LutY2b9pLbZ5_mvI8YsDrGD9cgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181113_124244.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">An approach to the road worker sat in his van stopping traffic worked, and I was allowed to drive as far as where the road was being resurfaced. I was able to get my car off the road there and ride the rest of the way on the bike to Dinlabyre and onto to the summit track.&nbsp; Here is my route:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zogm7ij3usM/W-6fY8ETZgI/AAAAAAAAIq4/Bm6Ppa2oHLQre9IVFdX7QsRh42u8_HCHgCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="1300" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zogm7ij3usM/W-6fY8ETZgI/AAAAAAAAIq4/Bm6Ppa2oHLQre9IVFdX7QsRh42u8_HCHgCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B65.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYPr71KNSC0/W-6it6Q4Q5I/AAAAAAAAIrQ/ZhDsoykXOO4rXaovtQW-rgeTPwWvs7zFwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181113_161705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYPr71KNSC0/W-6it6Q4Q5I/AAAAAAAAIrQ/ZhDsoykXOO4rXaovtQW-rgeTPwWvs7zFwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181113_161705.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Parking place by the resurfaced B6357 road a miles from Dinlabyre</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Progress riding the bike was slow once I left the main road, and on a significant part of the steeper uphill stretches I was forced to push. I'm apparently not so fit now as I was a year or two ago.... When I reached the radio mast and comms cabin where the track ended, I laid the bike down, locked it and proceeded to the trig point on foot. The mast is not within the activation zone.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L8D1T0OHO-A/W-6jM2XS5mI/AAAAAAAAIrY/_KJ6cIKcvJw3jj4LFKkugG_wauKInNG2gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181113_140752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L8D1T0OHO-A/W-6jM2XS5mI/AAAAAAAAIrY/_KJ6cIKcvJw3jj4LFKkugG_wauKInNG2gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181113_140752.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There was no trace of any path (a dotted line is shown on the map but was not apparent on the ground) and it was difficult making progress on the rough and boggy moor. Not a route I would recommend, I certainly would not return here again. The day was becoming damp with thick mist forming and I was uncomfortable after putting my leg in a hole full of water on the walk back from Calkin Rig in the morning. I knew when I reached the summit I did not want to stay longer than necessary..... the going on the tussocks was so difficult to be honest, I may have been better setting up at the fence around NY 564917 which was within the 25m drop zone, however when I got there I was thankful of the trig for shelter from the bitter wind and also the shelf beside it which was dry for sitting on and the right height for bending forward and sending the Morse.&nbsp; There was good coverage at Larriston on the Vodafone network so I was able to spot myself using <i><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ro.netroute.sotaspotter&amp;hl=en_GB" target="_blank">SOTA Spotter</a>.</i> I only operated on the 40m band on Larriston, cutting my operating time down to 20 minutes due to the failing light and the cold. I heard Don G0RQL in Devon give me a courtesy call at the end of my brief 40m SSB session, Don was 5 &amp; 4 but the lack of power at my end - 10 watts from a KX2, meant there was no chance of a 2 way QSO unfortunately... the only UK station actually worked was the CW QRS operator David G0FVH:&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le8j6NJJIC0/W-6mpc1eBrI/AAAAAAAAIrk/ouIUdlnFzMUsfL9X-FztoAW0HbhCgwKqgCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="539" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le8j6NJJIC0/W-6mpc1eBrI/AAAAAAAAIrk/ouIUdlnFzMUsfL9X-FztoAW0HbhCgwKqgCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B66.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Relying on my GPS for direction, I headed back to the radio mast which had disappeared into the mist, relishing the thought of the quick ride back down the hill and the clean dry pair of socks waiting for me back at the car! As I made my way back I fell forward at one stage whilst negotiating a peat hag, no injury fortunately for me, just a moan and a groan as I continued on my way! If I had been using my normal walking poles I wouldn't have fallen like that.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tmu4dl1K7so/W-6vacoM87I/AAAAAAAAIrw/sV_C_LzfqBsz6PTLArw0nvyAV82yHZe9wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181113_151814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tmu4dl1K7so/W-6vacoM87I/AAAAAAAAIrw/sV_C_LzfqBsz6PTLArw0nvyAV82yHZe9wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181113_151814.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The summit - Larriston Fells GM/SS-161 - now activated 17 times - no view today - the Scottish Border lies less than 1 Km away to the south east of the summit&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I hardly peddled on my way down, reaching speeds of around 30 MPH on the rough track, It was a little foolhardy really as I wasn't wearing a helmet.&nbsp; I reached the car just after 4.00 pm and the road had re-opened to traffic. It took me just 4 hours to drive home, which included a fast food refuelling stop at the KFC near the M6 roundabout at Penrith.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Going back to my heading on this blog - was cycling to the summit worthwhile - in terms of the time saved?&nbsp;</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ride and walk out = 4.6 miles&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Time taken = 96 minutes&nbsp; (68 minutes ride/push &amp; 28 minutes walk)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Walk and ride back = 4.7 miles&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Time taken = 47 minutes (21 minutes ride &amp; 26 minutes walk)&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Before I rode back down the hill I had to ride around this concrete perimeter track:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/453337" target="_blank">https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/453337</a>&nbsp;and I am not the only one to wonder why this concrete circle was laid on a desolate near the Lothians &amp; Borders Police radio mast - does anyone know?&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So what time did I save by riding and walking to this summit? At my normal walking pace on the track I estimate the total distance of 3.9 miles would have taken me 75 minutes walking time on the track and the same 28 minutes on the moor - so by using the bike I saved myself just 7 minutes on the upward journey.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">However, the return is different. On the downhill run at my normal walk pace I estimate it would have taken me 65 minutes walking time plus the same 26 minutes to negotiate the moor on foot.&nbsp; So by using the bike on the return journey I saved myself another 45 minutes.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So to sum up I reckon on this summit I saved myself around 1 hour by cycling Larriston Fell, however there are drawbacks - I needed to clean the bike the next day, as well as my rucksack which was mud splattered from the fast downward run. The other drawback is that when cycling on tracks, particularly at the easily reached speeds achieved (in excess of 25 mph) when riding downhill you are more at risk of an accident.&nbsp; Other drawbacks are the fuel consumption on my car on what was a 320 mile journey with the bike on the carrier at the back causing drag. This means my diesel estate car only achieves around 45 mpg, when without the bike on the back I would likely get around 50 mpg.&nbsp; I was unable to carry my walking poles on the bike - they would have been useful walking on the rough moor and would have likely prevented my falling into the murk - so another drawback there. The final drawback as I see it, is that when riding the bike it was not practical to wear my knee length walking gaiters - these are essential when walking on the type of rough wet moorland on border summits like Larriston Fell. Yes, I could have bagged the gaiters up and carried them in the rucksack and donned them before the moorland section, but I never the realised how rough and wet that moor would be....</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So with hindsight, I have concluded for the purpose of saving just one hour in time I should have left the bike at home and walked the whole distance to the summit of Larriston Fell.&nbsp; Walking the whole way would have meant I would have arrived back home at 9.00 pm rather than 8.00 pm. In terms of physical energy used, I have concluded there would not have been much difference in the effort expounded, whether&nbsp;walking the whole distance or cycling and walking the remaining distance across the moor.&nbsp;</span></div></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-26894563100885164542018-11-15T23:59:00.000+00:002018-11-16T14:14:44.713+00:00SOTA GM/SS-196 Calkin Rig walk <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I decided when I got parked to leave the bike locked on to the carrier and walk to the summit... so car and bike were </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">left at NY 312884, part way along the access track to Calkin Rig GM/SS-196:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1OB8gMhvu4/W-1Zxd9yDYI/AAAAAAAAIps/VN0Hh6dm2CUrjLS568MijXy6t0bMjkVSACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181113_114605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1OB8gMhvu4/W-1Zxd9yDYI/AAAAAAAAIps/VN0Hh6dm2CUrjLS568MijXy6t0bMjkVSACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181113_114605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This is my Focus (Non-Electric) Hybrid "shopping bike" on the back of the car - the only bike I currently have. It is fine for riding on forest tracks if they are a reasonable grade. The frame is aluminium so it is reasonably lightweight. If I'm SOTA cycling I usually pack my KX2 transceiver and aerial bag in the saddlebag, and the pole and ancillary radio bits, food and drink (if needed), are carried in a day sized rucksack on my back. Carrying some items in the saddlebag takes some of the weight off my back. I don't think it is good for balance to have a big heavy rucksack on your back when cycling.&nbsp; The bike is usually fitted with panniers for carrying shopping, but I remove these when I am riding on rough tracks.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When I got to the Calkin Rig summit access track there were no restrictions and the gate was undone, so I drove up the track a half mile to the first closed gate at NY 312884, where I could park.&nbsp; At that point I decided that I would walk to the summit rather than cycle. It took me 23 minutes to reach NY 294885, the point at which I left the track to go SSW. This is where I would have stashed my bike had I ridden it.&nbsp; After climbing a steep bank I was on the boggy moor following the fence right to the summit of Calkin Rig, which took another 25 minutes. There was mobile coverage on the EE Network on the summit for spotting, but no coverage for Vodafone.&nbsp; You will see from this map which way I went to the summit, and the way I came down, which was an improvement on the walk up with more level grass on which to walk and less rough moorland. There were still sheep grazing in this area despite the onset of winter:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJUFhX4ofqA/W-2z5-D2iDI/AAAAAAAAIp4/dNWgTFHhykEolOeDciqsaUq0MKzNqE1KQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJUFhX4ofqA/W-2z5-D2iDI/AAAAAAAAIp4/dNWgTFHhykEolOeDciqsaUq0MKzNqE1KQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B61.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My activation on 40m and 20m CW/SSB. One QSO on 2m FM was completed with G7THI in Hoff, near Appleby, Cumbria, with the remaining 36 contacts being on HF with all stations within Europe.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2wKKmO077kU/W-6HuXUys1I/AAAAAAAAIqE/u8isG-EAXacNwOvoZ5OhYuvTZQTwCMJYACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="561" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2wKKmO077kU/W-6HuXUys1I/AAAAAAAAIqE/u8isG-EAXacNwOvoZ5OhYuvTZQTwCMJYACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B63.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pJRr8xzry0k/W-6KRRu0q2I/AAAAAAAAIqQ/nvsFWCI2iOsy58kPIS61IFc9gpO2FvIvQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181113_104337%2B%25281280x718%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1280" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pJRr8xzry0k/W-6KRRu0q2I/AAAAAAAAIqQ/nvsFWCI2iOsy58kPIS61IFc9gpO2FvIvQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181113_104337%2B%25281280x718%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">HF CW Operation on Calkin Rig GM/SS-196</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wgtlAE2uTfU/W-6KWA90hYI/AAAAAAAAIqU/rh8x_VUH6FQ2Rql20_y7W6sNJ1AlWtezwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181113_105855%2B%25281280x720%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Operating a few metres down from the highest point on Calkin Rig</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIFmQNpxrNQ/W-6Kb7zyUNI/AAAAAAAAIqY/C64J3_oBneAJp7jDuHvfds1vAln7GCwEQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181113_111932%2B%25281280x680%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1280" height="340" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIFmQNpxrNQ/W-6Kb7zyUNI/AAAAAAAAIqY/C64J3_oBneAJp7jDuHvfds1vAln7GCwEQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181113_111932%2B%25281280x680%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Walking down to Calkin to exit the moor on to the track at NY 301886 - note the drystane sheepfold centre of picture which I passed on the way down</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaezNN4ZKDA/W-6KfoznSCI/AAAAAAAAIqc/K23dw_768okhvhHjcPFPWsx0RmaeB0f0ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181113_113350%2B%25281280x691%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1280" height="344" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaezNN4ZKDA/W-6KfoznSCI/AAAAAAAAIqc/K23dw_768okhvhHjcPFPWsx0RmaeB0f0ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181113_113350%2B%25281280x691%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The boarded up property Calkin and the gate on the left of the photo where I exited the moor</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Coming down the moor back to the gate near Calkin was a better route than following the fence on the way up, however I did encounter an unseen water hole with my left foot, going down to the knee which left me with a boot full of water for the rest of the day. I was back at my car at 1145z having left it at 0910z.&nbsp; When I re-programmed the Satnav it told me that my destination - the parking place for my 2nd summit, Larriston Fells GM/SS-161, was 19 miles away.&nbsp; Blog report on that activation to follow...</span></div></div></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-88253733293049276982018-10-26T23:59:00.000+01:002018-10-27T18:34:52.099+01:00SOTA in Scotland October 2018 - Penvalla, White Meldon and Caedmuir Hill <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I'm not very fond of winter activating involving driving long distances in a single day, so with a respectable weather forecast I took my chance on October 26th 2018 to drive to the Scottish Borders and tackle three SOTA Complete activations in a day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It is becoming more difficult to find three unique summits in Southern Scotland that are easy enough to reach and then climb and activate in the one day, from my home in North Yorkshire. In addition to the walking, the driving distance is around 400 miles. This means leaving Pickering before 6.00 am if I want to return home before 10.00 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The three summits identified were all in the Peebles area, so my route to reach the first was to the village of Stobo, via Scotch Corner, Penrith and Moffat to reach Stobo or the first walk, which is near Peebles. I left home at 5.45 am and reached Moffat within three hours for a comfort break, bacon butty and pot of tea at the Rumblin' Tum Cafe in the Market Place. I had made good time on the journey north, making contact on 2m FM when I was driving on the M74, with Geoff Harper G(M)4WHA/M on his way to work in Penrith.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lxywQOse2Ww/W9RgyBZH1qI/AAAAAAAAIkg/AFOnUUN_fLYveglwe7NhTO7kbTEtp6TGgCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1254" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lxywQOse2Ww/W9RgyBZH1qI/AAAAAAAAIkg/AFOnUUN_fLYveglwe7NhTO7kbTEtp6TGgCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter%2B24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>GM/SS-145 Penvalla</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Proceeding to Stobo took less than an hour from Moffat, and I was walking on the John Buchan Way long distance path towards Penvalla SS-145 at 9.40 am, reaping the benefits of an early start.&nbsp; I was carrying an Elecraft KX2 transceiver, 5m pole and a link dipole. It took 73 minutes to traverse the three miles to the summit. The first two miles were relatively flat with the real ascent starting when I left the JBW at around NT155385.&nbsp; I was following the GPX track provided by Terry G0VWP which was loaded into the SOTA Maps website. The track used was perfect and could not be improved on in any way.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j0xB1FFdMMw/W9RiDpRrLuI/AAAAAAAAIks/tPa0gt9XvdUG5q5yWWjYcHX-w5cf8GMswCLcBGAs/s1600/Junction%2Bon%2Btrack%2Bto%2BPenvalla%2BSS145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j0xB1FFdMMw/W9RiDpRrLuI/AAAAAAAAIks/tPa0gt9XvdUG5q5yWWjYcHX-w5cf8GMswCLcBGAs/s640/Junction%2Bon%2Btrack%2Bto%2BPenvalla%2BSS145.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Derelict building "Harrowhope" at path junction on JBW (NT164383)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Proceeding towards Penvalla it was interesting to note that wide galvanised metal horse/bicycle gates had been recently fitted at every farm gate / stone wall that crossed the JBW making it effectively, into a bridleway - no doubt this is a popular route for mountain bike enthusiasts - indeed there was plenty&nbsp;of evidence along the way of tyre tracks.&nbsp; Soon I got a view of Penvalla GM/SS-145 at 537m high and worth 2 Points:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_T4o6tPgQw8/W9RjiRlKLYI/AAAAAAAAIk8/dL-iathjZnMtJOUUyClVifDvYv8h1IEBgCLcBGAs/s1600/View%2Bof%2BPenvalla%2BSS145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_T4o6tPgQw8/W9RjiRlKLYI/AAAAAAAAIk8/dL-iathjZnMtJOUUyClVifDvYv8h1IEBgCLcBGAs/s640/View%2Bof%2BPenvalla%2BSS145.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwS3AuM1_mM/W9RjvUqZo6I/AAAAAAAAIlA/m52wREnc8GAaUMSHg9s9rv6-MhUQChWxACLcBGAs/s1600/Near%2Bto%2BPenvalla%2BSS145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwS3AuM1_mM/W9RjvUqZo6I/AAAAAAAAIlA/m52wREnc8GAaUMSHg9s9rv6-MhUQChWxACLcBGAs/s640/Near%2Bto%2BPenvalla%2BSS145.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When I reached&nbsp;the top it was featureless&nbsp;and devoid of any rocks, fences or fixtures so I deployed my guying ring to support a 5 metre pole with the link dipole. The 40m band was used and 22 contacts were completed quickly in Morse and Voice.&nbsp; The wind was turning to the north and for the first time since last winter a pair of fleece gloves and a woollen&nbsp;hat was needed to be worn for the return walk back down to the car.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SS-208 White Meldon</b></span></u>&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A country lane signposted "The Meldons" leads north from the A72 and I followed this to the north west side of White Meldon summit. At NT 217439 there is a stile at the roadside which takes you on to the moorland access land leading to the summit. Car parking is roadside, where you can see the stile:&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfweOhEprNI/W9RmEPGZ1_I/AAAAAAAAIlQ/ZbpQ12AHXm0hfKw3g1gI1-BEx-6dkcjUgCLcBGAs/s1600/Parking%2Bplace%2BWhite%2BMeldon%2BSS208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfweOhEprNI/W9RmEPGZ1_I/AAAAAAAAIlQ/ZbpQ12AHXm0hfKw3g1gI1-BEx-6dkcjUgCLcBGAs/s640/Parking%2Bplace%2BWhite%2BMeldon%2BSS208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Another stile a little further up the fenceline takes you on the moorland proper. The moor here is a mix of heather, bracken and grass and there are sheep tracks and a quad track if you are fortunate enough to find it. I tended to walk from patch of grass to patch of grass interspersed with heather. The going&nbsp;was reasonably easy, allowing me to reach the summit trig point in 25 minutes.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJQqSh9j8Nk/W9RnUrgedYI/AAAAAAAAIlc/flVX3wNrywQmmW23AoERJjj-vWOfOH8igCLcBGAs/s1600/View%2Bfrom%2BWhite%2BMeldon%2BSS208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJQqSh9j8Nk/W9RnUrgedYI/AAAAAAAAIlc/flVX3wNrywQmmW23AoERJjj-vWOfOH8igCLcBGAs/s640/View%2Bfrom%2BWhite%2BMeldon%2BSS208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The view from White Meldon GM/SS-208</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The same methods were employed as on Penvalla - using 7 MHz Morse and Voice with my 18 contacts being spread around Europe. I found a quad track for the downhill walk which lasted for part of way before I reverted to walking the rougher moorland again, but walking was relatively easy on this tussock free moor.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>GM/SS-219 Cademuir Hill</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A good part of the Cademuir Forest was harvested a year or two ago and the public are encouraged to use it as amenity woodland. A car park is provided at NT 247383 where this sign is situated:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBXsUICRq9I/W9RpJmNlO0I/AAAAAAAAIlo/CWgEaRZThxYcbNnqX-ZDxuVJPbmDu4rtgCLcBGAs/s1600/Cademuir%2BForesty%2Btourist%2Bsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBXsUICRq9I/W9RpJmNlO0I/AAAAAAAAIlo/CWgEaRZThxYcbNnqX-ZDxuVJPbmDu4rtgCLcBGAs/s640/Cademuir%2BForesty%2Btourist%2Bsign.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It was half term and I noticed a few youngsters riding bikes in the forestry and a few dog walkers using the tracks. Peebles is around a mile away and the forest is no doubt very popular with the locals. When I reached the summit which had been cleared of trees, there was no one there except me for the duration of the activation.&nbsp; As usual I found a better route down than going up and this is the track which will be uploaded to to the SOTA Mapping Project. It took me 26 minutes to walk up and 18 minutes to walk down.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-55YxdFQ6lPU/W9RqOTcQfWI/AAAAAAAAIlw/aElLjq-7JvwTGz_XzmJXFNYHGjOdnbo4gCLcBGAs/s1600/Cademuir%2BHill%2Bsummit%2BSS219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-55YxdFQ6lPU/W9RqOTcQfWI/AAAAAAAAIlw/aElLjq-7JvwTGz_XzmJXFNYHGjOdnbo4gCLcBGAs/s640/Cademuir%2BHill%2Bsummit%2BSS219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The top of Cademuir Hill near Peebles GM/SS-219</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The wind had turned north and was bitter so I quickly completed the contacts with the 22 stations who called me as quickly as possible and then headed back down the hill for the long drive home to North Yorkshire.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>25th October 2018: Penvalla &gt; White Meldon &gt; Cademuir Hill:</u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Departed Pickering 5.45 am - returned Pickering 9.00 pm (No meal stop on return journey)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">390 Miles driven</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">8.7 Miles walked</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">2330 feet ascended</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">69 Contacts completed (All 7 MHz)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Equipment used:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Elecraft KX2 Transceiver&nbsp;8 watts output, 1/2 wave resonant inverted vee dipole on 5m pole</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Palm Pico Paddle Morse Key, Seinnheiser boom microphone / headset.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gb2TqBhmSFQ/W9Shmbp2-tI/AAAAAAAAImg/5rNJ3Psa9mkozgJOZso53E0RttniWVZOQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="402" height="128" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gb2TqBhmSFQ/W9Shmbp2-tI/AAAAAAAAImg/5rNJ3Psa9mkozgJOZso53E0RttniWVZOQCLcBGAs/s200/ScreenHunter%2B28.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Peyh-OG8MOw/W9Rv7v8KbJI/AAAAAAAAImQ/DPA8RQf3XJ0Y3pxPoegLkegts_tn_lpNACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="528" height="135" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Peyh-OG8MOw/W9Rv7v8KbJI/AAAAAAAAImQ/DPA8RQf3XJ0Y3pxPoegLkegts_tn_lpNACLcBGAs/s200/ScreenHunter%2B25.jpg" width="200" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwK9zf6l8w4/W9Rvy3YOfgI/AAAAAAAAImE/VRdcu2TzfOwDzNnQoAOgx7HUdL8XNSREQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="233" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwK9zf6l8w4/W9Rvy3YOfgI/AAAAAAAAImE/VRdcu2TzfOwDzNnQoAOgx7HUdL8XNSREQCLcBGAs/s200/ScreenHunter%2B26.jpg" width="151" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Click photo for larger impression</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-10986612196741566032018-08-21T14:25:00.000+01:002018-08-22T08:17:46.421+01:00SOTA Cycling in Southern Scotland - August 2018<b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I was really fortunate yesterday in many ways in my effort to go SOTA Cycling in Scotland - I activated 4 unique / complete summits but only needed to cycle to one of them!</b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">I left Pickering at 5.42am.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;"><b><u>Wether Hill GM/SS-147</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqI15lzPmb4/W3wQW3K_MqI/AAAAAAAAIhQ/a5Bu2CBtFzYdxFhDi2xIRGcXhezZKD-mACLcBGAs/s1600/Wether%2BHill%2Bshort%2Btrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="867" height="520" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqI15lzPmb4/W3wQW3K_MqI/AAAAAAAAIhQ/a5Bu2CBtFzYdxFhDi2xIRGcXhezZKD-mACLcBGAs/s640/Wether%2BHill%2Bshort%2Btrack.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q78BVpXpT4M/W3wQggV4znI/AAAAAAAAIhY/NPmoUgzWV74w1jSzrvvLMayYGJE_eowpwCLcBGAs/s1600/SS-147%2BOperating%2Bposition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q78BVpXpT4M/W3wQggV4znI/AAAAAAAAIhY/NPmoUgzWV74w1jSzrvvLMayYGJE_eowpwCLcBGAs/s640/SS-147%2BOperating%2Bposition.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9teoFeKZUJI/W3wQghDeG2I/AAAAAAAAIhU/56CH1eXvCBI9_NeTYlxSr9vKjKLZbOYnACLcBGAs/s1600/SS-147%2BWether%2BHill%2BParking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1040" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9teoFeKZUJI/W3wQghDeG2I/AAAAAAAAIhU/56CH1eXvCBI9_NeTYlxSr9vKjKLZbOYnACLcBGAs/s640/SS-147%2BWether%2BHill%2BParking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">I got to the gate from the B729 at NS 684912 which leads up to the wind farm on SS-147 Wether Hill - a workman opened the gate for me and waved me through... I took that to be the granting of permission, so I drove smartly through with a wave and this saved me cycling to the top. I parked near to the summit&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">and walked a half mile from the car rather than cycling up the hill.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp; 2 points, a SOTA Complete and 20 QSOs including Derek 2E0MIX in Cumbria on 2m FM with my handheld and RH770 whip.&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">I took some pleasure out of working my friend Jan OK2PDT operating as DL/OK2PDT/P on DM/BW-008. </span>The short skip propagation conditions for inter UK communications were poor - the stronger stations were south of Bristol - the likes of G4WSB, GW4VPX and G0RQL were logged. On leaving the site the man came out of his cabin again and opened the gate for me - the workmen had been regrading the road up to the wind farm but their machines were resting. I complemented him on how good the work on the road was, and he thanked me in return...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;"><b><u>Green Lowther GM/SS-056</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LTXAMVfwxdg/W3wQw8LS8wI/AAAAAAAAIhg/uJdixErhuLwBp0RpqOq0wzFgvI1c9HgYwCLcBGAs/s1600/SS-056%2BGreen%2BLowther%2Bparking%2Bbike%2Bnot%2Bneeded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LTXAMVfwxdg/W3wQw8LS8wI/AAAAAAAAIhg/uJdixErhuLwBp0RpqOq0wzFgvI1c9HgYwCLcBGAs/s640/SS-056%2BGreen%2BLowther%2Bparking%2Bbike%2Bnot%2Bneeded.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">The radar station on Green Lowther near Wanlockhead was next. I went there some years ago with Geoff M0PYG one late afternoon and the security gate was locked. Yesterday the gate was open, which was an invitation for me to drive to the summit. I saw two contractors vans up there and a cyclist and drove to within 100m of the trig point where I set up the KX2 and link dipole on my 5m fishing pole. No problem and no questions asked, even though a contractor went to the nearby transmitter building. 16 QSOs were completed including another with Derek on 2m, which is when I discovered that the “fully charged” battery on my FT-270 was worn out and needs replacement. We did complete the contact but my radio was cutting out due to the worn battery at the end of our QSO - I was using 5 watts output with the RH770 whip antenna. Jan DL/OK2PDT/P came on again, this time from DM/BW-003 and we made our 2nd and final S2S contact of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;"><b><u>Common Hill GM/SS-174</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">Another wind farm and no closed gates. I drove almost to the top - total walk to the trig was around 300m. 11 QSOs on 40m CW/SSB from this summit, and I was finished by 1300z. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6JAqdwnY74/W3wQ5G9m4TI/AAAAAAAAIho/dCXJR9qGiHMOfN9vUxPHuvxtSNTejJBpACLcBGAs/s1600/SS-147%2BCommon%2BHill%2Boperating%2Bposition%2B-%2Bbike%2Bnot%2Bneeded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6JAqdwnY74/W3wQ5G9m4TI/AAAAAAAAIho/dCXJR9qGiHMOfN9vUxPHuvxtSNTejJBpACLcBGAs/s640/SS-147%2BCommon%2BHill%2Boperating%2Bposition%2B-%2Bbike%2Bnot%2Bneeded.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">However, this was supposed to be a SOTA Cycling day and it hadn’t been. I felt like a cheat having walked less than one mile bagging three SOTA Unique Completes.&nbsp; I had some time left before heading back south and home so I studied several summit locations using Viewranger on my phone and on the local OS 1:50000 map I had with me. I opted for a nearby summit called Nutberry Hill SS-156 not far from SS-174.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;"><b><u>Nutberry Hill GM/SS-156</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">I saw on the map there was a track leading into the forest - the nearest village was an old mining community I had never heard of named Coalburn. From there I drove beyond a derelict farm called South Cumberhead until I reached a locked gate at NS 777337 where there was just room to park my car off the track. This parking place left me with a 5 mile journey to the summit, mostly on the bike with the last half mile from a quarry being a moorland walk. &nbsp;It was 3.30pm when I set off on the 10 mile round trip - it would have been too late to walk it and get back home before midnight, but it was feasible on the bike. It wasn’t the best surface for SOTA Cycling and there was a significant amount of ascent, descent and then re-ascent, but I managed to ride 4 miles out of the 4.5 miles, pushing the bike for a half mile, before leaving it and walking the final half mile over the wet moor. If I had taken the time to plan this route at home I would likely have decided it was not worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cTgR_3_-3Ag/W3wSPDaIN_I/AAAAAAAAIh4/pfOtskXh9MoMwHITOgHy_ehispwhBmyDACLcBGAs/s1600/SOTA%2BCycle%2Broute%2BNutberry%2BHill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1242" height="374" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cTgR_3_-3Ag/W3wSPDaIN_I/AAAAAAAAIh4/pfOtskXh9MoMwHITOgHy_ehispwhBmyDACLcBGAs/s640/SOTA%2BCycle%2Broute%2BNutberry%2BHill.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">In the event, it took me 70 minutes to reach the trig point after the 5 miles of cycling and walking and when I got there it was raining. This was that wetting, misty drizzle that soaks you in time at all. I operated my KX2 on CW in a small pack bag which I use to carry my headset in. After just six 40m contacts (including Victor GI4ONL) there were no more callers and I packed up. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jr7Or7VAbU/W3wSWN0oBkI/AAAAAAAAIh8/FqX4_OQeoDwH23OmmFffQavKjMmE-x75ACLcBGAs/s1600/SS-156%2BNutberry%2BHill%2Boperating%2BKX2%2Bin%2Bpack%2Bbag%2Bduring%2Brain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jr7Or7VAbU/W3wSWN0oBkI/AAAAAAAAIh8/FqX4_OQeoDwH23OmmFffQavKjMmE-x75ACLcBGAs/s640/SS-156%2BNutberry%2BHill%2Boperating%2BKX2%2Bin%2Bpack%2Bbag%2Bduring%2Brain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">The walk and ride back I was not looking forward to, however I actually enjoyed it, reaching a maximum speed of over 27 mph on the downhill rough surface without falling off the bike! I was wearing my helmet as a precaution..... The journey time back, including the half mile walk to the bike took me 47 minutes for the five miles. I got back to the car at 5.54pm and promptly changed my sweaty T shirt and socks which were soaked. I was cycling and walking in my leather walking shoes rather than the usual Scarpa leather boots and the boggy moor meant I had returned with wet feet. This did at least remove some of the hard skin which I suffer from on my feet!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;;">This left me with a 200 mile drive back to Pickering, which included a stop at KFC Penrith for the usual feed. The A1 was closed so I purposely diverted early from the A66 via Richmond onto minor roads and then on to Brompton on Swale and Northallerton to Thirsk. The detour cost me another half hour and I reached home in Pickering at 10.40pm having driven 458 miles.</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-71199685137962444432018-02-08T23:59:00.000+00:002018-03-23T15:20:08.483+00:00Activating with VK2IO in New South Wales - Day 2<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For my second day activating with Gerard VK2IO it was determined that the best place to head for were the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, which lie around 40 miles south of Sydney. The summits of Knights Hill (VK2/IL-007) and Mount Kembla (VK2/IK-015) were our priority as these would be SOTA Complete for me. In addition Gerard&nbsp;factored in three more summits in the day. Neither of us lived "en-route" to the area of interest so to speak, so we arranged to meet at 7.15am on the southern outskirts of Sydney where Gerard parked his Subaru Forester up for the day. I had to take a few photos of Gerard's mobile installation as it was of great interest. Their was a Codan (motorised tuned) HF antenna on the rear bumper, with a vertical whip for the 10 MHz HF APRS transmissions mounted on the front bumper. A Codan transceiver in the boot provides the automatic data transmissions for APRS location on 10.140 MHz:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtAUc_1LCOY/WoIV6EopajI/AAAAAAAAIbc/beS9WuL-AKM0Nuxiy7w_xm4wWDeme07_gCLcBGAs/s1600/Codan%2BHF%2BAntenna%2Bbase%2Bwith%2Bbuilt%2Bin%2BATU%2BVK2IO%2BSubaru%2BForester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtAUc_1LCOY/WoIV6EopajI/AAAAAAAAIbc/beS9WuL-AKM0Nuxiy7w_xm4wWDeme07_gCLcBGAs/s400/Codan%2BHF%2BAntenna%2Bbase%2Bwith%2Bbuilt%2Bin%2BATU%2BVK2IO%2BSubaru%2BForester.jpg" width="225" /></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMRiwfcogus/WoIWNpZXQtI/AAAAAAAAIbg/9U4tFtmFfpIEg4CpbQNIattEzcBCmlAUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Codan%2BHF%2Bantenna%2BVK2IO%2BSubaru%2BForester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMRiwfcogus/WoIWNpZXQtI/AAAAAAAAIbg/9U4tFtmFfpIEg4CpbQNIattEzcBCmlAUwCLcBGAs/s400/Codan%2BHF%2Bantenna%2BVK2IO%2BSubaru%2BForester.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--dqorJwWfn4/WoIWj5VeDNI/AAAAAAAAIbo/F_KQHgHSSt4wQVAl9KBG8VYIgH-zoW2lQCLcBGAs/s1600/Codan%2BHF%2Bradio%2Bon%2B10%2BMHz%2Bfor%2BAPRS%2Btracking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--dqorJwWfn4/WoIWj5VeDNI/AAAAAAAAIbo/F_KQHgHSSt4wQVAl9KBG8VYIgH-zoW2lQCLcBGAs/s640/Codan%2BHF%2Bradio%2Bon%2B10%2BMHz%2Bfor%2BAPRS%2Btracking.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">VK2IO's HF Codan APRS radio - the HF transceiver is a Yaesu FT-100 with remote head near the driver</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>VK2/IL-015 Mount Kembla</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJZqpDEg8qw/WoIdVpS9kjI/AAAAAAAAIcM/aeb5pQRrvlYQZmHqly92veXo2Dgybg2BQCLcBGAs/s1600/Track%2Bnotice%2Bfor%2BMount%2BKembla%2BVK2-IL-015%2BSOTA%2BComplete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJZqpDEg8qw/WoIdVpS9kjI/AAAAAAAAIcM/aeb5pQRrvlYQZmHqly92veXo2Dgybg2BQCLcBGAs/s640/Track%2Bnotice%2Bfor%2BMount%2BKembla%2BVK2-IL-015%2BSOTA%2BComplete.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trail to Mount Kembla which tops out the Illawarra Escarpment was well marked. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the lookout where I set up my station. Thanks to Simon G4TJC, who came here in December and provided this track for the SOTA Mapping Project:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBxFvL5gtVE/WoIY9iJ16AI/AAAAAAAAIb0/zp2hzHXBRDocaSFNMx_9t7CCBgM1acnWQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_20%2BFeb.%2B13%2B09.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="866" height="310" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBxFvL5gtVE/WoIY9iJ16AI/AAAAAAAAIb0/zp2hzHXBRDocaSFNMx_9t7CCBgM1acnWQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_20%2BFeb.%2B13%2B09.43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Setting up on the rock at the lookout I just had room to accommodate my 40m length link dipole. We agreed I would start on 20m - I had drawn the short straw - nil propagation! This was unlike my visit to Mount Elliot the previous week when I worked DX - Larry K0RS in Colorado on 20m CW.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPOU4LjRS9Y/WoIa6dibp2I/AAAAAAAAIcA/_i2LTu9dyBQqSyS-iPAWXC7wjLoK7iyWwCLcBGAs/s1600/VK2-G4OBK%2BMount%2BKembla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="849" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPOU4LjRS9Y/WoIa6dibp2I/AAAAAAAAIcA/_i2LTu9dyBQqSyS-iPAWXC7wjLoK7iyWwCLcBGAs/s640/VK2-G4OBK%2BMount%2BKembla.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An idyllic operating position for VK2/G4OBK/P on Mount Kembla VK/IL-015 - now SOTA Complete</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">After wasting time and power calling CQ on 20 metres I moved down to 30m for my six QSOs in SSB/CW and then topped it off on 40m with one CW QSO with Ian VK5CZ. Gerard was operating in a clearing about 200m from me and we kept in touch as usual on 2m with our handhelds.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><u>VK2/IL-007 Knights Hill</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span><span style="font-size: large;">A 40 minute drive from Mount Kembla brought us to Knights Hill - a TV and commercial comms site with three very tall masts on it. The public area is well with the 25m drop activation zone. I operated on a patch of grass in full sun with a view of the masts. The radio got pretty hot:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKAgpQ6JHck/WoIgOK96PxI/AAAAAAAAIcc/SiZuywt-2mEYF3oohEW-_lIg2rMHbPeDACLcBGAs/s1600/Knights%2BHill%2BVK2-IL-007%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKAgpQ6JHck/WoIgOK96PxI/AAAAAAAAIcc/SiZuywt-2mEYF3oohEW-_lIg2rMHbPeDACLcBGAs/s640/Knights%2BHill%2BVK2-IL-007%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once again after trying CQ calls and spots I found within 10 minutes that the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">20m band was closed</span><span style="font-size: large;">. It took me another 30 minutes to complete 8 contacts on 30m and 40m, a different experience to what I find operating in Europe when in that space of time I would have expected to make many more contacts than that with the 50 watts I was running from the FT-857.&nbsp;</span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jhkG-nzw_Q/WoIgH1rEoRI/AAAAAAAAIcY/uPyHHwqY21UutLqFKkOw92g4TWNFPIa4gCLcBGAs/s1600/VK2-G4OBK%2BKnights%2BHill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jhkG-nzw_Q/WoIgH1rEoRI/AAAAAAAAIcY/uPyHHwqY21UutLqFKkOw92g4TWNFPIa4gCLcBGAs/s640/VK2-G4OBK%2BKnights%2BHill.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My operating position - I had no groundsheet - on leaving the summit Gerard remarked he had previously seen snakes here...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="656" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6v_6HXzVpNU/WoIgRt6Y4mI/AAAAAAAAIcg/v-UhZsWupiUWf-iWoSAMJhTUScBtVDLYQCLcBGAs/s640/Gerard%2BKnights%2BHill%2BVK2-IL-007%2B2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">VK2IO operating in his short legged camping chair - drive on summit</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6v_6HXzVpNU/WoIgRt6Y4mI/AAAAAAAAIcg/v-UhZsWupiUWf-iWoSAMJhTUScBtVDLYQCLcBGAs/s1600/Gerard%2BKnights%2BHill%2BVK2-IL-007%2B2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6v_6HXzVpNU/WoIgRt6Y4mI/AAAAAAAAIcg/v-UhZsWupiUWf-iWoSAMJhTUScBtVDLYQCLcBGAs/s1600/Gerard%2BKnights%2BHill%2BVK2-IL-007%2B2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Once again this was "SOTA Complete" for me and we moved off to our next three summits which were clustered more closely together.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>VK2/IL-002 Wingecarribee</u></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm565ryD8rk/WoRZIJLcxgI/AAAAAAAAIdA/n66SjWiJTrcOPnKcnvnHNNZKVPnbp6wMACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_22%2BFeb.%2B14%2B23.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="774" height="350" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm565ryD8rk/WoRZIJLcxgI/AAAAAAAAIdA/n66SjWiJTrcOPnKcnvnHNNZKVPnbp6wMACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_22%2BFeb.%2B14%2B23.42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">90 minutes after packing up on Knights Hill we were driving up Trig Station Lane to VK2/IL-002. It took longer to reach the drive on summit than expected as we were hungry - we had stopped off at the Robertson Pie Shop, renowned for the many certificates and diplomas won in pie making competitions throughout Australia. A fabulous place this was, standing on its own near a road junction:</span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z69HAS6icJo/WoRa6BbqSGI/AAAAAAAAIdQ/HgfHsMSiProlvfYejSxKM5wvQPvAiz_AACLcBGAs/s1600/Pie%2Bstop%2Bnear%2BRobertson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z69HAS6icJo/WoRa6BbqSGI/AAAAAAAAIdQ/HgfHsMSiProlvfYejSxKM5wvQPvAiz_AACLcBGAs/s640/Pie%2Bstop%2Bnear%2BRobertson.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gerard chose Steak &amp; Kidney, I chose Potato - which turned out to be Cottage Pie. Suitably fortified we made for&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Wingecarribee.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">The summit is on private land, however a public road, a cul-de-sac, goes to several smallholdings which lie within the activation zone. There was room to park the Toyota and using the benefit of Gerard's knowledge we both set up on the right hand side of the road near the smallholdings about 150m apart. I setup my station on some neatly manicured grass behind a broken wire fence on private land, but not in view of the smallholders house. A few passing farmer types gave a jovial wave as they passed in their vehicles during my 30 minute operating session on 30m and 40m SSB from 0345z onward. Again I drew a blank on 20m due to the propagation and I was unable to solicit CW contacts on any band despite spots on SOTAWatch and calls.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kxx7b9rPcqg/WoRZZVASz-I/AAAAAAAAIdE/v4WARf4F3J4RNcGA0p2bWNTedT3m4IAfQCLcBGAs/s1600/Gerards%2Bactivation%2Bspot%2Bon%2BVK2-IL-002%2BWingecarribee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kxx7b9rPcqg/WoRZZVASz-I/AAAAAAAAIdE/v4WARf4F3J4RNcGA0p2bWNTedT3m4IAfQCLcBGAs/s640/Gerards%2Bactivation%2Bspot%2Bon%2BVK2-IL-002%2BWingecarribee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gerard VK2IO/P busy packing up at his position on Trig Station Lane within the AZ on IL-002</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to the 11 Australian Chasers who made it into my log on SSB.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>VK2/IL-001 Mount Gibraltar</u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the least enjoyable activation for me, in full sun on a concrete pad of a former radio mast near to the trig point.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">However, at last there were signs of limited propagation on 20m where I worked VK3CAT and ZL1BYZ.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">(To be continued)</span></div></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-22936158038373901632018-02-05T23:59:00.000+00:002018-02-10T02:34:44.392+00:00VK2/G4OBK/P Mount Elliot VK2/HU-093<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">A week or so after activating with Gerard VK2IO I drove north from the Balgowlah Sydney suburb with my XYL, to activate Mount Elliot. We made a day out of the trip. It took 90 minutes to reach the summit area which is 6 miles east north east of Gosford in the Central Coast Region of New South Wales.&nbsp; The summit is the most southerly of the SOTA VK2/HU (Hunter Valley Group) and is activated on a regular basis but the locals. I imagine that is probably why I have worked the summit 4 times from back home in England....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9rczGyiUW0c/Wn46F0IcJ_I/AAAAAAAAIac/6mw876bXyMM9fBvu627XmFqkESQEuWoqgCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_16%2BFeb.%2B10%2B11.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="789" height="334" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9rczGyiUW0c/Wn46F0IcJ_I/AAAAAAAAIac/6mw876bXyMM9fBvu627XmFqkESQEuWoqgCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_16%2BFeb.%2B10%2B11.16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The summit area is a "drive on" one point hill within a nature reserve. It has a picnic area with BBQs provided, lookout, large car park and clean toilets.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I arrived too late to catch the 0000z rollover time, where it would be possible to work the same chaser station either side of midday and provide double points. By the time I got set up it was after midday:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUrWylYc3h0/Wn46wXfr4OI/AAAAAAAAIak/0D7924lI7w40AuUs2SKMyb3iT3tlglpcQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_17%2BFeb.%2B10%2B11.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="1080" height="206" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUrWylYc3h0/Wn46wXfr4OI/AAAAAAAAIak/0D7924lI7w40AuUs2SKMyb3iT3tlglpcQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_17%2BFeb.%2B10%2B11.19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">My friend Gerard VK2IO in Castle Hill, North Sydney was well featured in my log with 4 QSOs. The best DX QSO was into Colorado - Larry K0RS.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxtpcUmzKfo/Wn47bPnyZKI/AAAAAAAAIaw/gkUAdcdjmo0SChK8JF_XVdLPEvmtHIytACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxtpcUmzKfo/Wn47bPnyZKI/AAAAAAAAIaw/gkUAdcdjmo0SChK8JF_XVdLPEvmtHIytACLcBGAs/s640/DSCN2118.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A comfortable operating position on Mount Elliot at the picnic site within the 25m activation zone</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">After almost an hour on 20m, 30m and 40m I packed up. I tried a few CQ calls on 2m FM with my handheld and long whip from the lookout platform - there were no takers.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwNSU_AEKk0/Wn48D7xpREI/AAAAAAAAIa4/o7usWitln4whLGlSJpWGWrzO-FdkjQVPACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwNSU_AEKk0/Wn48D7xpREI/AAAAAAAAIa4/o7usWitln4whLGlSJpWGWrzO-FdkjQVPACLcBGAs/s640/DSCN2113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fVlA9K2Dqas/Wn48PdqCQeI/AAAAAAAAIa8/pyi9Tvce0goQrAAH9exsVCfiZDHVmr7-gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN2115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fVlA9K2Dqas/Wn48PdqCQeI/AAAAAAAAIa8/pyi9Tvce0goQrAAH9exsVCfiZDHVmr7-gCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN2115.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">All done we motored down to the coast at Terrigal. This was a very nice resort. We had brunch, a bit of a wander along the coast and then up to the highest point... VK2/HU-093 was another SOTA Complete for me. Onwards and upwards.....</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-5751223437785683052018-01-23T23:59:00.000+00:002018-01-28T21:40:19.827+00:00Activating with VK2IO in New South Wales - Day 1<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We travelled out to Sydney, Australia in January 2018 to stay with family. The last time I visited in 2013 there was no Australian SOTA Association. Now that there is gave me an opportunity to do some portable operating from the family's apartment in Sydney and more importantly, some SOTA chasing and activating while I was there. Travelling via Cathay Pacific through Hong Kong with my radio equipment did not present any problems. I packed the Yaesu FT-857, pole and aerial in my hold luggage and carried my batteries in my hand luggage.&nbsp;</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9aR65rpRzTc/WmpkeitFm7I/AAAAAAAAIRs/K3RS-EWZchEXHYwpBHyLI-Miidgx6iW3QCLcBGAs/s1600/Phil%2BG4OBK%2Bat%2BLithgow%2BInformation%2BCentre.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9aR65rpRzTc/WmpkeitFm7I/AAAAAAAAIRs/K3RS-EWZchEXHYwpBHyLI-Miidgx6iW3QCLcBGAs/s400/Phil%2BG4OBK%2Bat%2BLithgow%2BInformation%2BCentre.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phil VK2/G4OBK at the Lithgow Information Centre&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few days after arriving I got in touch with one of the most prolific SOTA operators in New South Wales - this is Gerard Hill VK2IO. I knew Gerard had provided support to other visiting operators and thought that he may like to do some joint activations with me and provide some steerage. Fortunately Gerard was most enthusiastic about us getting together and going out to do some SOTAs! I provided him with a short list of summits I would have liked to visit - these were a handful of summit contacts I had logged in New South Wales as a Chaser from my home QTH in England or when I have been out SOTA portable - some of these were QSOs with Gerard as the operator at the VK end...&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On 23 January&nbsp;I had the use of the family car and drove, early morning, up to Gerard's QTH at Castle Hill - around a 50 minute drive from where I was staying in Balgowlah, a northern suburb of Sydney.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gerard had picked out a handful of summits from my short list for our day together in and around the Central Tablelands - we activated four in total.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We left the VK2IO QTH at Castle Hill and drove inland to the North West towards the (SOTA VK2/CT) Central Tablelands area. By 9.00 am we arrived at a tourist information centre for a comfort break. The centre is located in a coal mining area and this aspect is proudly proclaimed by a miners Davy Lamp built into the building design of the information centre.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>VK2/CT-007 Mount Lambie</u>&nbsp;(1290m 8 points)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBCB68Shn9U/Wmppe-uKNII/AAAAAAAAISA/u32QDNJ490YkRygf6sf4bIyYvn_nRlyAgCLcBGAs/s1600/Mount%2BLambie%2BMap%2BVK2-CT-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="908" height="228" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBCB68Shn9U/Wmppe-uKNII/AAAAAAAAISA/u32QDNJ490YkRygf6sf4bIyYvn_nRlyAgCLcBGAs/s640/Mount%2BLambie%2BMap%2BVK2-CT-007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After a little more driving Gerard located a gravel track leading from the A32 main road which took us close to the top of Mount Lambie VK2/CT-007. The summit area was not fenced and supported several commercial towers with lots of aerials and dishes. We were now over 100 Km from Sydney and set up two stations on HF around 200m apart. I was at the trig point and Gerard was down the hill a little sitting by a tree in relative comfort in his short legged folding beach chair:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GgDDo8XTdrU/Wmpu0nhpF1I/AAAAAAAAISU/PxebHOgWNxUemIFYVWkjbo5NglxeJH7WQCLcBGAs/s1600/Gerard%2BVK2IO%2BCT-007-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GgDDo8XTdrU/Wmpu0nhpF1I/AAAAAAAAISU/PxebHOgWNxUemIFYVWkjbo5NglxeJH7WQCLcBGAs/s640/Gerard%2BVK2IO%2BCT-007-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerard VK2IO/P VK2/CT-007 using Elecraft KX3 (built in ATU) and ZS6BKW dipole fed with 300 ohm ribbon</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was a brief shower, but no rain of any significance to prevent us making contacts. HF SOTA operation is a different ball game in Australia as I found, with just 14 contacts being made on 20m, 30m and 40m in a 45 minute period whilst running 50 watts on average from my Yaesu FT-857. I operated on my usual 7033 KHz frequency for CW and the standard VK/ZL calling frequency for SOTA on the 40m band of 7090 KHz. The popular WWFF awards frequency is 7144 KHz.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URUSHKSKGHY/Wmp5R9SIZjI/AAAAAAAAISg/hx3tOTJhW9kQ-LNVYTxE1K2trbi7O-eowCLcBGAs/s1600/Mount%2BLambie%2BCT-007-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URUSHKSKGHY/Wmp5R9SIZjI/AAAAAAAAISg/hx3tOTJhW9kQ-LNVYTxE1K2trbi7O-eowCLcBGAs/s640/Mount%2BLambie%2BCT-007-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My station situated at the trig point on Mount Lambie VK2/CT-007 Yaesu FT-857 and link dipole on 20m/30m/40m bands</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">SSB was used on 30m as the WIA (Wireless Institute of Australia) VK bandplan permits the use of 'phone.&nbsp; If I had spent this amount of time and power operating within EU on two modes over three amateur bands I guess I would have made&nbsp; approaching 50 QSOs with ten or fifteen DXCC Countries, such is the difference in geography and population density in EU compared to Australia / New Zealand. As it happened I worked just ten VK and ZL stations which is par for the course here:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IoGX3OLE--A/Wmp881SJIDI/AAAAAAAAISs/wGgOck6b9x8U3vUmyEPhoerLPruIAP8lACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_08%2BJan.%2B26%2B11.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="1243" height="142" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IoGX3OLE--A/Wmp881SJIDI/AAAAAAAAISs/wGgOck6b9x8U3vUmyEPhoerLPruIAP8lACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_08%2BJan.%2B26%2B11.56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After what was a very laid back activation we took a few photos, packed up and ate a pork pie each before starting to head back to Sydney by calling in at another three summits en-route.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>VK2/CT-005</u>&nbsp;8 Points (1310m)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rur5OLo8HXo/WmqFixTW0hI/AAAAAAAAIS8/nciD6UF_0bogyK1KqdHZd91Q5CQoTIxeACLcBGAs/s1600/CT-005%2BVK2-G4OBK%2BFT857%2Bon%2B30m%2Bin%2BSSB%2B-%2Blegit%2Bin%2BVK%2Bland%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="437" height="340" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rur5OLo8HXo/WmqFixTW0hI/AAAAAAAAIS8/nciD6UF_0bogyK1KqdHZd91Q5CQoTIxeACLcBGAs/s640/CT-005%2BVK2-G4OBK%2BFT857%2Bon%2B30m%2Bin%2BSSB%2B-%2Blegit%2Bin%2BVK%2Bland%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">VK2/G4OBK Station - using 30m SSB on VK2/CT-005 - a summit with no name</span></td></tr></tbody></table><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">VK2/CT-005 is a summit with no name located on top of a forested hill in the Jenolan State Forest near Oberon, 31 Km south of the previous summit of Mount Lambie CT-007. The forest is classed as lying within the Blue Mountains Area. A forestry graded&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">public</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">road runs over the summit which is most convenient for access from the metalled road 3 Km away from the summit. It was dusty driving on the road in my borrowed Toyota Kluger V6 SUV Auto - the car needed to be put through the car wash the next day....</span></span></h2></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AL8rjDOGOXM/WmqQChfmPHI/AAAAAAAAITM/MHr3FLnAwX8uWheM8UNXphiKca8pqXIBACLcBGAs/s1600/SOTA%2Bflag%2Bflying%2Bon%2BCT-005%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AL8rjDOGOXM/WmqQChfmPHI/AAAAAAAAITM/MHr3FLnAwX8uWheM8UNXphiKca8pqXIBACLcBGAs/s640/SOTA%2Bflag%2Bflying%2Bon%2BCT-005%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gerard's SOTA Flag is flying by the track on top of VK2/CT-005</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here I was at 0200z (1300 local time) operating in Australia and enjoying a most comfortable SOTA activation in a pleasant ambient temperature of around 28C.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbowUw2_0mE/WmqcyFzAW_I/AAAAAAAAITc/pl-p75n5zmcrM4I6FewmAWkEOlbQO0AjgCLcBGAs/s1600/Rigging%2Bmy%2Bdipole%2Bon%2BCT-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="753" height="444" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbowUw2_0mE/WmqcyFzAW_I/AAAAAAAAITc/pl-p75n5zmcrM4I6FewmAWkEOlbQO0AjgCLcBGAs/s640/Rigging%2Bmy%2Bdipole%2Bon%2BCT-005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rigging my link dipole by the gravel track on the unnamed summit VK2/CT-005</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can understand why some operators over here think nothing of spending several hours on a summit, and even as Gerard does on occasion,&nbsp; camping out overnight. On CT-005 I made just 10 contacts on 3 bands in 35 minutes before it was time to pack up again. All contacts were in SSB on 40m and 30m bar one with ZL1BYZ on 20m CW.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>VK2/CT-003 Mount Bindo</u>&nbsp;8 Points (1363m)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mount Bindo lies around 8 Km north of CT-005 and is again reached via a graded forestry track which leads to some radio masts on the summit, one of which Gerard informed me supports an amateur radio 2m repeater property (VK2RDX) of the South Sydney based St George Radio Society - what a grand name for a radio club...There was evidence of campfires here and Gerard confirmed that people do camp here, and that he had actually camped out himself in the past, activating over two days.&nbsp; I located the trig point and set up near to that and Gerard walked on for 200m and set up his station against a tree.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4R5sp6bhTG0/Wmz1bECfKPI/AAAAAAAAIUQ/XXCY0iTIypoAdbV8aXW_muNwS1kXffpRwCLcBGAs/s1600/Mount%2BBindo%2BTrig%2BVK2-CT-003%2Bbroken%2Btheodolite%2Bmounting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4R5sp6bhTG0/Wmz1bECfKPI/AAAAAAAAIUQ/XXCY0iTIypoAdbV8aXW_muNwS1kXffpRwCLcBGAs/s640/Mount%2BBindo%2BTrig%2BVK2-CT-003%2Bbroken%2Btheodolite%2Bmounting.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trig point on Mount Bindo with broken mounting</span><br /><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made six contacts on 40m from Bindo in ten minutes - then no response from 10 minutes of CQ calls on 20m and 30m. Midday conditions for sure, but Gerard had cleaned up on 20m before I got there, making 9 Qs on CW/SSB on that band. Gerard confirmed that the repeater here has outstanding coverage into Sydney and beyond. I set my station up against the old log near to where the campfires has been lit:&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVY-nrfpIoQ/Wm1GvQPwmSI/AAAAAAAAIUw/vFpKq7EJKhIDHUhEHqlRL-hoZNKfTHwswCLcBGAs/s1600/VK2-G4OBK%2Bstation%2Bloc%2Bon%2BCT-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVY-nrfpIoQ/Wm1GvQPwmSI/AAAAAAAAIUw/vFpKq7EJKhIDHUhEHqlRL-hoZNKfTHwswCLcBGAs/s640/VK2-G4OBK%2Bstation%2Bloc%2Bon%2BCT-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So my activation time here was shorter than Gerard's and after less than an hour on the summit in total we were ready to pack up and head back to Sydney via our final (drive in) summit in the more greener Blue Mountains area.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>VK2/CT-043 Mount Tomah</u> 6 Points (1010m)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XvFBcBKdRy8/Wm1S0VDXRPI/AAAAAAAAIVI/ohgGvgXGLPI_2AgFdEHQHaWaidWj41rDACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_09%2BJan.%2B28%2B15.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="617" height="408" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XvFBcBKdRy8/Wm1S0VDXRPI/AAAAAAAAIVI/ohgGvgXGLPI_2AgFdEHQHaWaidWj41rDACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_09%2BJan.%2B28%2B15.33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCiYDzFcIvo/Wm1RvVaSjBI/AAAAAAAAIVA/SoYJgLa_sgUwdBlpOtoz1nlhycMRhq_SgCLcBGAs/s1600/Cosy%2BPortable%2BQTH%2BVK2IO%2Bon%2BCT-043%2BMt%2BBindo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCiYDzFcIvo/Wm1RvVaSjBI/AAAAAAAAIVA/SoYJgLa_sgUwdBlpOtoz1nlhycMRhq_SgCLcBGAs/s640/Cosy%2BPortable%2BQTH%2BVK2IO%2Bon%2BCT-043%2BMt%2BBindo.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerard VK2IO operating in comfort 20m CW on Mount Tomah VK2/CT-043</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To reach Tomah we drove via The Bells of Line Road. I was driving and the terrain the road passed through was spectacular.&nbsp; It was amazing that a road could be driven through there. Gerard told me there has been some spectacular crashes on that road due to brake failures on the enormous trucks using it -&nbsp; typical of the type that I saw that day using the road.&nbsp; The highest point and the designated summit of Mount Tomah, is on the south top which is reached down a minor metalled road leading off the B59 Bells of Line Road. There was the occasional country house along the minor road, with very well trimmed grassed verges.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We parked near an International Reiki Centre driveway with a barking dog for a time. We again set up around 200m apart, keeping in touch via our 2m handhelds for liaison as to who was operating on which band/mode to avoid clashing.&nbsp; My operation on 40m was very successful with 12 QSOs on CW/SSB. A few chasers appeared who I hadn't worked on the previous summits, so I guess it was more a case of hams getting in from work, rather than improved propagation, The 40m band did seem noisier than earlier in the day, and I think this was down to more sky wave propagation so maybe conditions were up... Gerard concentrated on 20m again and I tried 30m SSB which resulted in a single contact with VK3GGG - nice call!&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">NYSA (North Yorkshire SOTA Association) members generally try their best on activation days in Scotland, Wales and England to call in somewhere for a fast food meal on the way home and today was no exception. It can be a burger joint or chicken. Today we passed my favourites - there&nbsp;were three KFC outlets on the way back to Sydney.&nbsp; We called in at the Richmond branch. I noticed a few differences with the franchises in the UK and how the food was served. I can report that the quality of the chicken and chips served was just as good as what we have come to expect in the UK. I've been eating this stuff since 1973 - when Colonel Sanders was still alive - he went silent key in 1980.</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MiPs-cH7Q1M/Wm1Ubu3TFHI/AAAAAAAAIVU/JNQAxgRuO5QNZVcEetM2W_T-ufHfAK2xQCLcBGAs/s1600/After%2Ba%2Bday%2Bactivating%2Bin%2BVK2%2B-%2Bthe%2BKFC%2Bdrive%2Bin%2Bat%2BRichmond.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MiPs-cH7Q1M/Wm1Ubu3TFHI/AAAAAAAAIVU/JNQAxgRuO5QNZVcEetM2W_T-ufHfAK2xQCLcBGAs/s640/After%2Ba%2Bday%2Bactivating%2Bin%2BVK2%2B-%2Bthe%2BKFC%2Bdrive%2Bin%2Bat%2BRichmond.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">VK/KFC/G4OBK/P - Australia style - drinks in tins and a pot of mashed potato with gravy on the side!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After dropping Gerard off at Castle Hill and filling up the tank on the Toyota I rolled back into our Balgowlah QTH at 9.45 pm - it had been a fifteen hour day which reaped me 4 summits (2 SOTA Complete) for 30 points. I had a QSO total of 39 whilst Gerard made 48. I'm hoping we can do another joint activation day before I head back home in February, so if you read this keep a close eye on the SOTAWatch alerts page if you read this in time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My next activation is likely to be solo from the often activated Mount Elliot VK2/HU-093, the week commencing 29th January. I'll alert as soon as know I have got transport - probably the day before. It will take me around 90 minutes to get there from Sydney.&nbsp;</span></div></div></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-36998703376033337012018-01-13T23:59:00.000+00:002018-02-02T11:55:52.997+00:00Activating in North Wales - January 2018 - 2nd day<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Breakfast was served at the Penrhos Arms in Cemmaes at 8.00 am. We left at 9.00 am having settled our bill. Before breakfast I studied the local map and found that the North Wales summit of Mynydd Cwmcelli GW/NW-052 was just four miles north of the Penrhos Arms. It was a summit which had escaped my attention until then, but with the weather looking seemingly drier than forecast we were hopeful of activating two "unique to us" summits west of Oswestry before heading for our homes north and south in the early part of the afternoon.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>GW/NW-052 Mynydd Cwmcelli</u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A lane leaves the A470 from Aberangell and takes you to a parking place for two cars at SH814105 just where the forestry track goes into Dovey Forest. The photo here shows the roadside parking spot where the recommended route to the summit of NW-052 leads off:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjlpqjZiDBQ/WnPJL1ni81I/AAAAAAAAIYs/28wvHw1RJyAuLEDk2xOyQ3hKba2crCtTACLcBGAs/s1600/parking%2Bfor%2BNW-052%2BMynydd%2BCwmcelli%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjlpqjZiDBQ/WnPJL1ni81I/AAAAAAAAIYs/28wvHw1RJyAuLEDk2xOyQ3hKba2crCtTACLcBGAs/s640/parking%2Bfor%2BNW-052%2BMynydd%2BCwmcelli%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Car parking - as Geoff is about to turn left to join the track into Dovey Forest to NW-052</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once on the forest road take care not to miss the turn off on the right after 250m (which we did, slightly, we talk too much!). From here the lesser used track took us to SH808101 where fallen trees forced us into a detour around them and into the forest on the north side of the track:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9dSxAiLyV7U/WnPtmf1XCSI/AAAAAAAAIZA/ykeFOTJyxBMzme-xSHdi5xezKICGPLwywCLcBGAs/s1600/Blocked%2Baccess%2Btrack%2Bleading%2Bto%2BNW-052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9dSxAiLyV7U/WnPtmf1XCSI/AAAAAAAAIZA/ykeFOTJyxBMzme-xSHdi5xezKICGPLwywCLcBGAs/s640/Blocked%2Baccess%2Btrack%2Bleading%2Bto%2BNW-052.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">We found out why the trees had come down - forestry contractors&nbsp;had felled a large bank of trees on the north facing slope near our track, exposing the tall trees remaining there to the full force of the wind, so when the first big blow had come they had fallen. It happens a lot to adjoining sections of forests&nbsp;when partial harvesting takes place - here is the line of our track:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Vwnq2NXqRg/WnPssAXgJ6I/AAAAAAAAIY4/82fbH1O-wS4K7WJcsuq-IDo5dx_J3FHJQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_13%2BFeb.%2B02%2B15.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="708" height="366" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Vwnq2NXqRg/WnPssAXgJ6I/AAAAAAAAIY4/82fbH1O-wS4K7WJcsuq-IDo5dx_J3FHJQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_13%2BFeb.%2B02%2B15.44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend walking the longer way to go via Bwlch Tri Arglwydd. If you are tempted to go up sooner you'll find it pretty steep...&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">There are several hillocks around the summit area and evidence of motorbike traffic, which has made a mess of the terrain. The summit has a trig point:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i9_nsWqMlVM/WnPuZJyfBBI/AAAAAAAAIZM/0cn8Jwjo2Ok6LgTSiQa5bea0LtbrpFmDwCLcBGAs/s1600/Trig%2BNW-052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i9_nsWqMlVM/WnPuZJyfBBI/AAAAAAAAIZM/0cn8Jwjo2Ok6LgTSiQa5bea0LtbrpFmDwCLcBGAs/s640/Trig%2BNW-052.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">A brief ten minute session on 2m FM with the usual QRO mobile set up provided six contacts each. G0LGS and G4ILI in Cheltenham were easily worked. With a cold wind we didn't linger. It took 30 minutes to get back to the cars.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>GW/NW-046 Rhialgwm</u>&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leaving Aberangell on the A470 we made our way in the direction of Oswestry. It was a considerable drive which took around 40 minutes. Parking was at a turning point near the end of a public road leading into a forest north east of Llanwddyn - grid ref SJ052204. The last few hundred metres was a little rough but is easily passable in any car. Our cars are shown turned and ready for a quick getaway after our activation:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phm5HfiLx0o/WnPx2qplb8I/AAAAAAAAIZY/LUyJW1U00i4vr8Arpu8a9Gy2IeLQu--UgCLcBGAs/s1600/parking%2Bfor%2BNW-046%2BRhialgwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phm5HfiLx0o/WnPx2qplb8I/AAAAAAAAIZY/LUyJW1U00i4vr8Arpu8a9Gy2IeLQu--UgCLcBGAs/s640/parking%2Bfor%2BNW-046%2BRhialgwm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-COrMVnT9WNo/WnPyjDZvhHI/AAAAAAAAIZg/Kp2ekowUx9kBsNYA1___gGYq1kgTTMagACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_14%2BFeb.%2B02%2B16.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="956" height="402" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-COrMVnT9WNo/WnPyjDZvhHI/AAAAAAAAIZg/Kp2ekowUx9kBsNYA1___gGYq1kgTTMagACLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_14%2BFeb.%2B02%2B16.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The route used was roughly two thirds forest track one third rough moor with quad tracks on the ground. You reach this gate at SJ061213 where you leave the woodland:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKSDw2cnj1I/WnPzwcvptWI/AAAAAAAAIZs/qj69krnW85cGeCbQ6HvC4ejmDE881pxPwCLcBGAs/s1600/Gate%2Bleaving%2Bforest%2Bfor%2Bfell%2Ben-route%2BNW-046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKSDw2cnj1I/WnPzwcvptWI/AAAAAAAAIZs/qj69krnW85cGeCbQ6HvC4ejmDE881pxPwCLcBGAs/s640/Gate%2Bleaving%2Bforest%2Bfor%2Bfell%2Ben-route%2BNW-046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we reached the summit and spoke to Matt G8XYJ, he told us about the amazing view from the summit. We could see nothing due to mist, so there was no point taking a photo there. We completed 9 contacts and again worked our two friends in Cheltenham.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">With dry weather both days, it had been a very worthwhile 500 mile round trip for me to bag five more unique summits in Wales. The only problem for us both was driving in thick mist on the first day, getting from Geoff's QTH near Malvern to Pegwn Mawr MW-006. I had good journey back though and filled up my car on the way at Tesco in Prestwich, Manchester. It was 6.15 pm when I walked through the door back in Pickering.&nbsp; I plan to return to the area in April where I am based for a few days on a walking holiday in the Elan Valley.&nbsp;</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-37174008733076262082018-01-12T23:59:00.000+00:002018-01-31T08:45:03.398+00:00Activating in Mid Wales - January 2018 - 1st day<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hadn't been to Wales to activate for SOTA since summer 2017 so when the chance to return came in mid January 2018 I took it. I stayed overnight at the QTH of my friend Geoff M0PYG, who lives near Malvern. We planned to activate four summits in Wales over&nbsp;two days. On the second day we had dry weather throughout the morning after expecting forecasted rain, so the extended dry spell enabled us to activate a fifth summit before I returned home to North Yorkshire and Geoff headed back home to Malvern...&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Friday 12th January 2018</u>:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. <u>GW/MW-006 Pegwn Mawr</u></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eYA27P3QpjU/WnD6ZXH255I/AAAAAAAAIWE/NqgFkUZOSZA-f41NnsVhGUMqfighhdLSQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_10%2BJan.%2B31%2B10.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="1061" height="272" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eYA27P3QpjU/WnD6ZXH255I/AAAAAAAAIWE/NqgFkUZOSZA-f41NnsVhGUMqfighhdLSQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_10%2BJan.%2B31%2B10.05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our walk route in red. You can download the tracks in my blog in GPX format from the SOTA Mapping Project Website</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Driving in convoy as two cars, we left Cradley near Malvern in fog at 0620z. On the journey to Rhayader the temperature fell to -5c. There is a convenience store with toilets at Crossgates on the A44 and we made good use of it. We left Rhayader via the B4518 which took on a motorised climb to the entrance to Pegwn Mawr Wind Farm in Powys, just beyond the farm called Cloesffynnon. We parked on the side of the track below the 2nd gate at SO009809 and were walking by 0905z.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo7vb-kt5-E/WnD62IsC6vI/AAAAAAAAIWI/iCVi5erUHB0SOj-EKIn-79Eu3qpCvtZ_gCLcBGAs/s1600/Near%2BSummit%2BGW-MW-006%2BPegwn%2BMawr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo7vb-kt5-E/WnD62IsC6vI/AAAAAAAAIWI/iCVi5erUHB0SOj-EKIn-79Eu3qpCvtZ_gCLcBGAs/s640/Near%2BSummit%2BGW-MW-006%2BPegwn%2BMawr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Geoff M0PYG at a gate around 30m from the highest point on Pegwn Mawr</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ground was hard and frosty and now that we were above the bank of mist looking like cotton wool below us in the valleys, the temperature had risen to a comfortable 0c. It felt warmer than that in the sunshine. In passing we had hoped to speak to the farmer at Cloesffynnon out of courtesy, to let him know we were intending to park by the track above the gate leading out of his farmyard, however there was no one at the farm when we passed. In the event, we met him once we were walking. He came down the hill on his quad, returning from feeding his huge flock of sheep grazing among</span><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;the wind turbines on the summit. He was very friendly so we had a chat before proceeding to the summit. He didn't object to us parking the car where we had, so long as it was off the main track. The way to the top is easy with no obstacles in the way and we reached the trig point in less than 30 minutes. Being above the mist we weren't banking on any tropospheric propagation using 2m FM...</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEOXZhDDTE8/WnD7MifYYaI/AAAAAAAAIWQ/IngxMNeJRX8y-SJ07Klvxg5zsIvtuceWACLcBGAs/s1600/GW-MW-006%2BPegwn%2BMawr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEOXZhDDTE8/WnD7MifYYaI/AAAAAAAAIWQ/IngxMNeJRX8y-SJ07Klvxg5zsIvtuceWACLcBGAs/s640/GW-MW-006%2BPegwn%2BMawr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Geoff operating as MW0PYG/P making contacts from Pegwn Mawr GW/MW-006</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the event we were rewarded with 11 contacts on the 2m FM band whilst running a Yaesu FT-1500M at 40 watts output from a 4 amp LiFePo battery to a vertical dipole aerial at 4m AGL before returning to the car. I say car - for convenience we had left Geoff's car nearby in the Chapel Car Parking area at SO000801.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. <u>GW/MW-018 Bryn y Fan</u></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRrZGhXmLxQ/WnEANzxnWAI/AAAAAAAAIWk/yP2k92feCNknocwAoViaRvTuzQcmAUfwACLcBGAs/s1600/Parking%2Btoilets%2Bclosed%2BMW-018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRrZGhXmLxQ/WnEANzxnWAI/AAAAAAAAIWk/yP2k92feCNknocwAoViaRvTuzQcmAUfwACLcBGAs/s640/Parking%2Btoilets%2Bclosed%2BMW-018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mist in the middle of day at the car park for Byn y Fan - the toilets are permanently closed and up for sale</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">A large car park is provided by the B4518 near to the Llwyn Clywedog Reservoir. If it wasn't for today's&nbsp;mist we may have seen the reservoir....no chance. We set out from the car park SN821882 hoping that the mist would either burn off or that we would rise above it. Burn off it did not, all day, however we did rise above it to capture this lovely photo near the summit of Bryn y Fan with the reservoir below us in its shroud:</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZxiP7nz7k/WnEC0_GioHI/AAAAAAAAIWw/8HfOOK4vou0l2qO3dtokyqBdVA5_buvNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Leaving%2BMW-018-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZxiP7nz7k/WnEC0_GioHI/AAAAAAAAIWw/8HfOOK4vou0l2qO3dtokyqBdVA5_buvNwCLcBGAs/s640/Leaving%2BMW-018-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We took the shortest route up which involved climbing a low fence - I would recommend using our down route though and walk to the switchback, it was easier that way on the knees as well coming down. Our up/down tracks are shown here&nbsp; - taken from my Viewranger account:</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOEDqcuuj9U/WnEvUUfLuDI/AAAAAAAAIXA/oCGzIXFf3jkoMh7vgxmOBzDeZiU0bqQQwCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_11%2BJan.%2B31%2B13.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="686" height="260" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOEDqcuuj9U/WnEvUUfLuDI/AAAAAAAAIXA/oCGzIXFf3jkoMh7vgxmOBzDeZiU0bqQQwCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_11%2BJan.%2B31%2B13.51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the only summit out of three today that did not house a wind farm. The trig point is located on a piece of moorland, typical of many others in the UK. Here is M0PYG posing for the camera by the side of it:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2O5yM33RD4/WnEwnvChwzI/AAAAAAAAIXM/wJDek6Yd3IkfBBL0PNhbVKT34QngOWlKwCLcBGAs/s1600/Trig%2BMW-018%2BBryn%2By%2BFan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2O5yM33RD4/WnEwnvChwzI/AAAAAAAAIXM/wJDek6Yd3IkfBBL0PNhbVKT34QngOWlKwCLcBGAs/s640/Trig%2BMW-018%2BBryn%2By%2BFan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 145 MHz coverage from MW-018 on 2m FM wasn't as bad as we feared, with the summit lying 100m lower and behind the earlier activated Pegwn Mawr ridge (MW-006) to the south east of Bryn y Fan. We logged nine stations in 15 minutes in England (mostly) and Wales before packing up to head off to our last summit of the day at the Carno Wind Farm which was five miles north of our current location. The same set up was used on this summit as was used on Pegwn Mawr.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. <u>Bryn Amlwg GW/MW-015</u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">A short drive now to the village of Carno where there was a convenience store and a most convenient place to park Geoff's Subaru. We went up the lane in my Skoda and parked at some buildings that supported the Carno Windfarm installation across the valley where the summit of Bryn Amlwg is located. This was our longest walk in of the three summits done today - a shade over two miles each way.&nbsp; It was still cold enough for hats and gloves and there was no winter bonus available on this one either, but more importantly for me, this was my third SOTA Complete of the day....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEXrdrm4LhA/WnE2C_1FcnI/AAAAAAAAIXc/PcfRiQvE5kI4kDIU1ILmYMirHhN4vPXngCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_12%2BJan.%2B31%2B14.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="928" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEXrdrm4LhA/WnE2C_1FcnI/AAAAAAAAIXc/PcfRiQvE5kI4kDIU1ILmYMirHhN4vPXngCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_12%2BJan.%2B31%2B14.20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bridleway going west from the buildings is over rough land and not worth trying. Better to continue to walk down the public road and turn right to head downhill past Blaen-y-cwm farm and over the bridge, and then continue the long&nbsp;way round on the graded </span><span style="font-size: large;">service roads rather than be tempted into cutting across what is very rough terrain. The farm at Pantle is unoccupied and becoming derelict - the left side front of the roof has gone in. Shame that, as once the water gets into a stone building like that it soon gets completely wrecked.&nbsp; This picture was taken on our return leg after the activation:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b17SR6-VNDM/WnE3WbNBvpI/AAAAAAAAIXo/hUf4lubVl2E0PpcQRF55HvZ5Bk9jMwXmgCLcBGAs/s1600/Derilict%2Bfarm%2Bnear%2BMW-015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b17SR6-VNDM/WnE3WbNBvpI/AAAAAAAAIXo/hUf4lubVl2E0PpcQRF55HvZ5Bk9jMwXmgCLcBGAs/s640/Derilict%2Bfarm%2Bnear%2BMW-015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Continuing on the higher ground above Pantle the tracks took us to what appeared to me to be the back entrance gate to the wind farm. The gate lies just within the 25m drop activation zone. We continued on to the trig point and set up there. We never saw a soul, the same as on our previous summit Byn y fan. It was a Friday, so maybe Saturday would have been different....</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWCGOIH7-WE/WnE4npwqprI/AAAAAAAAIX0/v5lJ-2GIX1Q2tBXa3mzp2rlEd7WtJclhACLcBGAs/s1600/In%2BAZ%2Bon%2BBryn%2BAmlwg%2BMW-015%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWCGOIH7-WE/WnE4npwqprI/AAAAAAAAIX0/v5lJ-2GIX1Q2tBXa3mzp2rlEd7WtJclhACLcBGAs/s640/In%2BAZ%2Bon%2BBryn%2BAmlwg%2BMW-015%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phil G4OBK this blog writer at the back gate to Carno Wind Farm (Bryn Amlwg GW/MW-015)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, onward then to the trig point amongst the sound of the turbines that were turning well in what was a light wind. As on the two previous summits today, we were carrying HF QRP equipment that would have been deployed had we needed to, but with the journey time to reach our first summit and the shortness of the January daylight hours, our endeavour was to work all comers on 2m,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">qualify the summit,</span><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">and then move off to the next place. That way it was easily possible to complete three summits in the day and then finish off by arriving in daylight at a village pub for the night.&nbsp; It worked out well for us on Bryn Amlwg and we made six QSOs in fifteen minutes and then it was time to pack up. Looking at the six stations worked for evidence of a QSO on all three summits, we just had Allan GW4VPX/M in the log on all three. Allan had been on some business in Mid Wales for most of the day and was in his car and in the right place for a QSO every time we landed on a summit. Nice one Allan!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The walk back to the car took 45 minutes. We drove to an interesting tearoom and museum at Llanbrynmair on the A470 for a brew of tea and some marvellous Welsh Cakes. We left there at closing time (1630) and followed the satnav via a ridiculously narrow country lane which led us to the village of Cemmaus and the Penrhos Arms, where we had a room reserved for the night. We'd seen on road signs that the nearest town was Machynlleth. We didn't pass through it but I'm fairly certain that I'll get there one day in my quest to activate all the summits in Wales.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYj8LFPanNg/WnFYBNWWbUI/AAAAAAAAIYM/l4DB4T1y3HkxM_2qcVqn0XFumWUKTV8cgCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="308" height="338" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYj8LFPanNg/WnFYBNWWbUI/AAAAAAAAIYM/l4DB4T1y3HkxM_2qcVqn0XFumWUKTV8cgCLcBGAs/s640/images.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">The Penrhos Arms at Cemmaes was average in more ways than one, the main gripe was that the shower mounting was broken and the water pressure extremely low. The staff were welcoming and friendly though, and that made up for what were minor issues. If you order Whitebait here as a starter&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">what you get are small pieces of fish in breadcrumbs, not whitebait.&nbsp; It still tasted good though after a day outside on the hills of Mid Wales....as did the enormous Celtic Burger and nice chips. I didn't finish the burger on account of over-indulging on the "Whitebait" of which there was enough for two servings. We had another part day to go tomorrow when we were to tip into the North Wales Association. I expect to be back activating in Mid-Wales in April when I am staying with eighteen other members of <a href="http://www.ryedalewalking.com/" target="_blank"><i>Ryedale Walking Group</i></a> at the <a href="http://www.elanvalleylodge.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i>Elan Valley Lodge</i></a>.&nbsp;</span></div></div></div></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-22138296296367413052017-11-02T23:59:00.000+00:002017-11-12T22:41:39.980+00:00Another one day trip to the Scottish Borders for SOTA<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hadn't realised it but it was April when I last drove up to Scotland to activate Tinto and Dungavel Hill for SOTA. Last Sunday the long range weather forecast looked good for Thursday and with no work this week that was my chosen day. I left Pickering at 5.45am, taking the western route up to Scotland via Sutton Bank, Scotch Corner, A66 Penrith, M6 then M74 to junction 13 at Abington Services.&nbsp; After almost a 200 mile drive and 4 hours after leaving home, I was setting out on the walk up to Broughton Heights GM/SS-128. At NT119374 there is a designated walkers car park. This is before the wall to Shepherd's Cottage which on the day of my visit was undergoing refurbishment. Car parking:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQtNI11HQyk/WghUckhCNyI/AAAAAAAAINQ/VcyfS_zoxVkabvSo33UejT7SMNSBz44vwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171102_094411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQtNI11HQyk/WghUckhCNyI/AAAAAAAAINQ/VcyfS_zoxVkabvSo33UejT7SMNSBz44vwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171102_094411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a fine fresh day and the 2.63 mile walk to the summit took me 63 minutes.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OobHrh88CAM/WghVuHsu0AI/AAAAAAAAINc/rDpVBhMAqSwoDZlNWz2diT6fmmOPyYASgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171102_095247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OobHrh88CAM/WghVuHsu0AI/AAAAAAAAINc/rDpVBhMAqSwoDZlNWz2diT6fmmOPyYASgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171102_095247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyb7iUNtAGg/WghV60qrq2I/AAAAAAAAINg/jUSusdCBCTkciwU1zi6fe5HiCPs2d3psACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171102_101345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyb7iUNtAGg/WghV60qrq2I/AAAAAAAAINg/jUSusdCBCTkciwU1zi6fe5HiCPs2d3psACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_20171102_101345.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Memorial Seat at the path junction on the John Buchan Way at NT124392</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZbqD7-EPDs/WghVivZOjWI/AAAAAAAAINk/hikn7MvgqjMacyyfcmI42X3hCMfoN6K3QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20171102_113648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZbqD7-EPDs/WghVivZOjWI/AAAAAAAAINk/hikn7MvgqjMacyyfcmI42X3hCMfoN6K3QCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20171102_113648.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is the summit of Broughton Heights. I stayed just over the hour, made lots of contacts on HF, had my lunch and then set off for Trahenna Hill GM/SS-143. I returned to the memorial seat pictured above on the John Buchan Way which I soon left to make my way over Hammer Head (513m), Green Lairs (490m) and Grey Yade (537m) before turning left to reach my objective of Trahenna Hill (549m). Here is the large cairn on Hammer Head:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqnZtuiRtcI/WghdkkOvOZI/AAAAAAAAIOA/9WHbDzKyZyIWQL414w9iDhnmEwu9-gI8gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171102_124249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqnZtuiRtcI/WghdkkOvOZI/AAAAAAAAIOA/9WHbDzKyZyIWQL414w9iDhnmEwu9-gI8gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171102_124249.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The col before the summit has more than a 25m drop from the main path so it is essential that to qualify you must turn left and visit the highest point. A nearby fence provides a convenient antenna mounting point:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JvSAbA79QA/WghdXbmuX-I/AAAAAAAAIN8/CoRYLLyuDdAS3PkKE2VMwF-TXEiAQauWQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171102_131639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JvSAbA79QA/WghdXbmuX-I/AAAAAAAAIN8/CoRYLLyuDdAS3PkKE2VMwF-TXEiAQauWQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171102_131639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I stayed less than an hour on Trahenna Hill as I needed to get back to the car and drive to the start of the walk for my 3rd activation of the day whilst I still had some daylight left. Some activators have proceeded to the nearby summit of Penvalla but I decided to leave that for another day when I had my bicycle with me...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was in April that I walked up GM/SS-172 Lamington Hill and found that I had left my HF antenna back in the car, so today was a chance to revisit there and qualify it for SOTA.&nbsp; I left the car park in Lamington at NS978309 and was on the summit 40 minutes later (1.8 miles) after walking through the waymarked grounds of a private estate. The walk route is good with tracks and then over grass to the summit once through the woodland. Here is how it looked on the summit with Tinto GM/SS-064 in the background:&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKqTVcX7eRY/WghfeJnEpqI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/yb02QLCapjgYQ8Uroiu-g9QAYye4kOpVACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171102_154147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKqTVcX7eRY/WghfeJnEpqI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/yb02QLCapjgYQ8Uroiu-g9QAYye4kOpVACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171102_154147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A page full of stations were contacted in Morse and Voice with the log photographed in the failing light before packing up:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l9kY0h45JrY/Wghf5VwOx-I/AAAAAAAAIOU/sU8c785PUSAoIYdK0RtN68rvWbIwlDruwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171102_162302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l9kY0h45JrY/Wghf5VwOx-I/AAAAAAAAIOU/sU8c785PUSAoIYdK0RtN68rvWbIwlDruwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171102_162302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PGW5qcQvbU/WghhN9bvnGI/AAAAAAAAIOk/FfYcVnzySdATY8IOtrGiboxA71Dy2QigQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_04%2BNov.%2B12%2B14.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="53" data-original-width="642" height="52" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PGW5qcQvbU/WghhN9bvnGI/AAAAAAAAIOk/FfYcVnzySdATY8IOtrGiboxA71Dy2QigQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_04%2BNov.%2B12%2B14.56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I reached home at 9.20pm after a long but worthwhile day with three more SOTA Completes in my log.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Stats</u>:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Miles driven: 396</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Miles walked: 10 miles</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ascent: 3000 feet</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Number of contacts: 103</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Time spent on air: 82 minutes</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Equipment: Elecraft KX2 10 watts output to inverted vee link dipole on 5m pole 20/30/40m bands</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meals:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lunch: Sandwich, energy bar and apple with flask of tea. Dinner: Meal stop at Welcome Break on M74 for KFC (go large) with 3 piece Colonel Sanders traditional meal:</span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BnXadrUYT4/WghlHo5MVJI/AAAAAAAAIO0/DHnkL6euTK04bWMSFjE1YSgiWnFt9WDAgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171102_183554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BnXadrUYT4/WghlHo5MVJI/AAAAAAAAIO0/DHnkL6euTK04bWMSFjE1YSgiWnFt9WDAgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171102_183554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maps of walk routes taken (Click for larger photo):</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbw6yXpPj3c/Wghu92lcZnI/AAAAAAAAIPE/q687R-ayZnIJ8Myux2O10EQe_lNBTCFmACLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_03%2BNov.%2B12%2B13.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="459" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbw6yXpPj3c/Wghu92lcZnI/AAAAAAAAIPE/q687R-ayZnIJ8Myux2O10EQe_lNBTCFmACLcBGAs/s320/ScreenHunter_03%2BNov.%2B12%2B13.59.jpg" width="279" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lix0a2BMOU/WghvRb5cyFI/AAAAAAAAIPI/uxl9I0DWf9wIPL-J3VMgwetdJZj2htL_wCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_05%2BNov.%2B12%2B15.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 12.8px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1155" height="110" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lix0a2BMOU/WghvRb5cyFI/AAAAAAAAIPI/uxl9I0DWf9wIPL-J3VMgwetdJZj2htL_wCLcBGAs/s320/ScreenHunter_05%2BNov.%2B12%2B15.56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-74409565709531955132017-07-25T23:59:00.000+01:002017-08-16T19:00:44.733+01:00Day Two of a two day SOTA visit to Snowdonia - July 2017<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I awoke in Idwal Cottage YHA at 6.00am feeling fine after my previous days Glyder and Tryfan walk, except for having pins and needles in both hands. This soon wore off once I got moving.... Breakfast was some Granola I had brought, a couple of slices of toast and marmalade and a cup of tea. I finished off the pint of milk left over from the Granola leaving the hostel on a beautiful morning to drive just two miles along the A5 from Idwal Cottage YHA to the Gwern Gof Isaf campsite:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xXSlCGKi-oc/WZKXC_2DXZI/AAAAAAAAIJI/2XFixWEZsmkFZUIgDZpvg4UH9h0RssSJgCLcBGAs/s1600/Campsite%2Bcar%2Bpark%2B%25C2%25A32%2Ball%2Bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xXSlCGKi-oc/WZKXC_2DXZI/AAAAAAAAIJI/2XFixWEZsmkFZUIgDZpvg4UH9h0RssSJgCLcBGAs/s640/Campsite%2Bcar%2Bpark%2B%25C2%25A32%2Ball%2Bday.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Parking place at Gwern Gof Isaf campsite by the A5 - £2 for the day</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My friend Nick Langmead (G4OOE) had provided me with a route from here taking in NW-002 Carnedd Llewelyn, the second highest Marilyn summit in Wales, and NW-013 Pen Llithrig y Wrach. &nbsp;He told me that the owner of the campsite&nbsp;and farm would allow all day parking by the gate on the A5 for just £2 per day. &nbsp;Campers were emerging from their tents and vans and even though it was only 7.00am I called at the farm to pay my dues which were gratefully received. &nbsp;A short walk along the A5 took me to the private road owned by Welsh Water which took me up to Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir. This map shows my whole route, which differed somewhat&nbsp;towards the end from the one done by Nick G4OOE and Geoff M0PYG, The GPX file is loaded into the SOTA Mapping Project and it can also be downloaded from Viewranger:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3G7g7Qo7ss/WZKJDQ-Iw5I/AAAAAAAAIH4/eVZyrkTJSlEk7zNpOLmm0t1pp8U16POeQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_04%2BAug.%2B15%2B06.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1169" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3G7g7Qo7ss/WZKJDQ-Iw5I/AAAAAAAAIH4/eVZyrkTJSlEk7zNpOLmm0t1pp8U16POeQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_04%2BAug.%2B15%2B06.38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The private road had a locked gate. A steady walk up the incline brought me to the reservoir. I overshot the path slightly as you can see from my GPS trace, before realising that I needed to take the path to the east of the reservoir to climb to the col of Bwlch Eryl Farchog. As I reached the reservoir I got a super view of Tryfan and the Glyders where I had walked the previous day:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uELyIozoies/WZKKQNQZioI/AAAAAAAAIIE/wyzBWlvcSLsBCmG1xR7SIWZ9Ra5b6wKQwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tryfan%2BNW-006%2Bnext%2Bday%2Bon%2Bmy%2Bway%2Bto%2BNW-002%2BCarnedd%2BLlewelyn%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uELyIozoies/WZKKQNQZioI/AAAAAAAAIIE/wyzBWlvcSLsBCmG1xR7SIWZ9Ra5b6wKQwCLcBGAs/s640/Tryfan%2BNW-006%2Bnext%2Bday%2Bon%2Bmy%2Bway%2Bto%2BNW-002%2BCarnedd%2BLlewelyn%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The man made reservoirs in Snowdonia are nothing short of beautiful on a day like the one I had on 25th July 2017. Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5Ly0de27pI/WZKK5TVBgSI/AAAAAAAAIIM/1IcF6mgKRUk6DdH-OCwyycGFJbBw6_UMgCLcBGAs/s1600/Ffynnon%2BLlugwy%2BReservoir%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5Ly0de27pI/WZKK5TVBgSI/AAAAAAAAIIM/1IcF6mgKRUk6DdH-OCwyycGFJbBw6_UMgCLcBGAs/s640/Ffynnon%2BLlugwy%2BReservoir%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The well used path to the Bwlch has steps cut into it in places and posed no problems. Once the top path was reached it took 40 minutes to reach the plateau on Carnedd Llewelyn (1064m). Being so early I did not see a soul until I was on my way down. There were a couple of places where it was necessary to use the hands to scramble but nothing too awkward and risky. I walked on beyond the highest point and came to rest at a natural rock wall where there was a clear falling away of the mountain to the north. I always find when using VHF that if I can set up on the edge of the land as it falls away more steeply, my signals are enhanced. Once again I was only using a Yaesu VX-170 handheld with the RH770 extended whip.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szII18CZ9Ro/WZKMKf1uXyI/AAAAAAAAIIY/QeIWtQLpzD4Q-4b9CPy8yiGy0UC3uZ_WgCLcBGAs/s1600/View%2Bfrom%2BNW-002%2BCarnedd%2BLlewelyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szII18CZ9Ro/WZKMKf1uXyI/AAAAAAAAIIY/QeIWtQLpzD4Q-4b9CPy8yiGy0UC3uZ_WgCLcBGAs/s640/View%2Bfrom%2BNW-002%2BCarnedd%2BLlewelyn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Above the clouds looking towards the coast at Anglesey on Carnedd Llewelyn NW-002</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A 25 minute session on 145 MHz with the handheld garnered 14 contacts with stations in England, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man. After a drink and an energy bar I made my way back to the Bwlch then onwards towards Pen Llithrig y Wrach, NW-013.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSkGJvk_dV0/WZKOwrm3z4I/AAAAAAAAIIk/XWUiSEFINjEhc0NWngJ7B9m378leurQJQCLcBGAs/s1600/Valley%2Bbelow%2Bwith%2Bold%2Bworkings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSkGJvk_dV0/WZKOwrm3z4I/AAAAAAAAIIk/XWUiSEFINjEhc0NWngJ7B9m378leurQJQCLcBGAs/s640/Valley%2Bbelow%2Bwith%2Bold%2Bworkings.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Redundant mineral workings in the valley to the north of Bwlch Eryl Farchog</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Once again there was a little scrambling to reach the summit of Pen yr Helgi Du (833m) on my way to NW-013 before dropping down around 200m to Bwlch y Tri Marchog from where there was a straightforward&nbsp;climb on grass to the summit of Pen Llithrig y Wrach (799m). Despite crossing Pen yr Helgi Du which was 34m higher than Pen Llithrig y Wrach, the earlier summit did not have the sufficient 150m or more drop from Carnedd Llewelyn to count as a Marilyn, quite an unusual situation I believe...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6w8pj_HkygA/WZKRxnF8aLI/AAAAAAAAIIw/z5D2SOlUM6sfyq5L_5xrI9V8p8uFGCSPACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BLlyn%2BCowlyd%2BReservoir%2Band%2BNW-028%2BCreigiau%2BGleishion%2B%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6w8pj_HkygA/WZKRxnF8aLI/AAAAAAAAIIw/z5D2SOlUM6sfyq5L_5xrI9V8p8uFGCSPACLcBGAs/s640/The%2BLlyn%2BCowlyd%2BReservoir%2Band%2BNW-028%2BCreigiau%2BGleishion%2B%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Llyn Cowlyd Reservoir seen from NW-013 - Creigiau Gleision NW-028 is on the other side of the water - &nbsp;another SOTA unique for me to visit on my next trip to Snowdonia</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">After eating my lunch I started to make&nbsp;contacts as before on 2m FM. About half way through the activation an angry&nbsp;looking man approached the summit. He was sweating profusely. He gave me such a black look that I returned it and in an aggressive&nbsp;tone he said "What's your problem"? &nbsp;I told him I didn't have one, what was his problem? To which he said it had been a hard climb and he didn't expect it to be like suburbia&nbsp;on the summit with me talking to people on my radio. &nbsp;The atmosphere felt uncomfortable as the man appeared to be very agitated by my presence, so I packed up my rucksack and walked some&nbsp;50m away from&nbsp;him to continue my activation of the summit.... I finished with 13 contacts in 20 minutes and by the time I closed down the man had gone on his way. Hopefully I did not ruin this lone wolfs day of peace and tranquility that much!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I came off the hill and lost any semblance of a path. The access land wasn't so bad for walking though - and a thin green strip of land, like a green lane almost, caught my eye down below so I made for that.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFIqSaog0xc/WZKWBG-qxPI/AAAAAAAAII8/8bQTvt7VoicXblETQOUcZ2vtoYDOVqGDQCLcBGAs/s1600/Fell%2Bponies%2Bheading%2Bdown%2Bfrom%2BNW-013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFIqSaog0xc/WZKWBG-qxPI/AAAAAAAAII8/8bQTvt7VoicXblETQOUcZ2vtoYDOVqGDQCLcBGAs/s640/Fell%2Bponies%2Bheading%2Bdown%2Bfrom%2BNW-013.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wild mountain ponies - with the reservoir leat and "green lane" which I was making for in the background</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">At the footbridge (SH 7039 6152) I found the green lane to be a good path beside the leat which was carrying water from Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir down to Llyn Cowlyd Reservoir. I really enjoyed walking by the leat on the grass path. It reminded me of walking&nbsp;by the levadas in Madeira. There were a couple of herons fishing for food in the leat and fish visible below the surface.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45SN6t2dlr4/WZKWk9BmVBI/AAAAAAAAIJE/i-63PzfZl_YrAYM_CL9gecjjObId1STdwCLcBGAs/s1600/Looking%2Bback%2BNW-013%2Bas%2BI%2Bmake%2Bmy%2Bway%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bcar%2Balong%2Bthe%2Breservoir%2Bleat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45SN6t2dlr4/WZKWk9BmVBI/AAAAAAAAIJE/i-63PzfZl_YrAYM_CL9gecjjObId1STdwCLcBGAs/s640/Looking%2Bback%2BNW-013%2Bas%2BI%2Bmake%2Bmy%2Bway%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bcar%2Balong%2Bthe%2Breservoir%2Bleat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Walking by the leat on the "green lane" with NW-013 in the background</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I rejoined the Welsh Water access road at a gate at SH 6906 6097 which returned me to the A5 and the Gwern Gof Isaf campsite parking place after a most enjoyable SOTA walk in perfect weather.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Walk times</u>&nbsp;(Start time: 0738 am - Finish time: 1412 pm):</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Gwern Gof Isaf CP - Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir = 40 mins</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir - Carnedd Llewelyn = 68 mins (14 X 2m FM contacts)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Carnedd Llewelyn - Pen Llithrig y Wrach = 109 mins (13 X 2m FM contacts)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Pen Llithrig y Wrach -&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Gwern Gof Isaf CP = 80 mins</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Distance walked</u>: 9.53 miles with 3910 feet ascent</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There was insufficient time left to climb any more summits in the day and to be honest, with the long&nbsp;drive back home to North Yorkshire, I think I had done enough.&nbsp;</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-16573182298830043892017-07-24T23:59:00.000+01:002018-07-30T09:50:31.719+01:00Day One of a Two day SOTA visit to Snowdonia - July 2017<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I've been wanting to attempt this Glyders and Tryfan walk now for a couple of years. The walk takes in the four SOTA summits of Elidir Fawr (NW-005), Y Garn (NW-004), Glyder Fawr (NW-003) and Tryfan (NW-006). &nbsp;I decided to complete this as a linear walk starting with Elidir Fawr and finishing on Tryfan. This is the route I took on Monday 24th July 2017:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHQEGVYNX80/WX-6bj9RQ6I/AAAAAAAAIGc/bJ67WUJhR6MbUy7TNs4oWnFH1kX_pyBjQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_06%2BAug.%2B01%2B00.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1001" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHQEGVYNX80/WX-6bj9RQ6I/AAAAAAAAIGc/bJ67WUJhR6MbUy7TNs4oWnFH1kX_pyBjQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_06%2BAug.%2B01%2B00.16.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I left my North Yorkshire home at 6.00am stopping off for a breakfast bap and pot of tea in a cafe off the A55 at Rhos on Sea at 9.30am. &nbsp;I drove to a remote parking place at a locked gate on an old quarry road east of the village of Deiniolen (SH596631). From here I walked the good tarmac road to the Marchlyn Mawr reservoir (1.85 miles - from 1168 ft to 2120 ft =- took 40 mins). From here it took another 30 mins to reach the summit of Elidir Fawr (GW/NW-005).&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNYbmiuxkFs/WX-8nSU4QtI/AAAAAAAAIGg/MpCSLu0eVJs04wtWlIjRIkvbRkR-O_aJwCLcBGAs/s1600/Marchlyn%2BMawr%2BReservoir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNYbmiuxkFs/WX-8nSU4QtI/AAAAAAAAIGg/MpCSLu0eVJs04wtWlIjRIkvbRkR-O_aJwCLcBGAs/s640/Marchlyn%2BMawr%2BReservoir.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wbI-2cGNCE/WX-9GPPWvpI/AAAAAAAAIGk/c6TQjptlS0gY3IjySJu16VYn3EEOyhSKgCLcBGAs/s1600/Start%2Bof%2Bclimb%2Bproper%2Bto%2BNW-005%2BElidir%2BFach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wbI-2cGNCE/WX-9GPPWvpI/AAAAAAAAIGk/c6TQjptlS0gY3IjySJu16VYn3EEOyhSKgCLcBGAs/s640/Start%2Bof%2Bclimb%2Bproper%2Bto%2BNW-005%2BElidir%2BFach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The head of the tarmac road at Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir - now it was a rougher walk to the summit</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There were no shortage of contacts on the summit of Elidir Fawr - I was travelling light on account of the challenging nature of the walk. A Yaesu 5 watt handheld and RH770 extended whip was all I used.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dBIx6crjif4/WX-90Gd0ULI/AAAAAAAAIGo/jjiao34-NKsVpb_NgxQ7FgQj4HysOzYVwCLcBGAs/s1600/Weather%2Bcloses%2Bin%2Bon%2BElidir%2BFawr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dBIx6crjif4/WX-90Gd0ULI/AAAAAAAAIGo/jjiao34-NKsVpb_NgxQ7FgQj4HysOzYVwCLcBGAs/s640/Weather%2Bcloses%2Bin%2Bon%2BElidir%2BFawr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Mist coming in as I left Elidir Fawr</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Fine weather on the ascent turned to mist on the summit and this stayed with me on and off for the afternoon until I reached the foot of Tryfan at around 5.30pm.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The walk so far presented no difficulties and this continued as I crossed the Bwlch y Marchlyn and Bwlch y Brecan to climb to Foel-goch. I went to the summit even though it does not count as a Marilyn, lacking the necessary 150m prominence to surrounding mountains. From here the route stretched before me to Y Garn with the mist clearing at that point on the walk. I was on Y Garn (NW-004) at 1.30 pm and enjoyed my lunch before using the radio.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-as8TNdvKYHM/WX-_GAGVrdI/AAAAAAAAIGw/S18JvrLmxNUo6iYp7g0z3uX8TCW9gRR-gCLcBGAs/s1600/View%2Bfrom%2BY%2BGarn%2BNW-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-as8TNdvKYHM/WX-_GAGVrdI/AAAAAAAAIGw/S18JvrLmxNUo6iYp7g0z3uX8TCW9gRR-gCLcBGAs/s640/View%2Bfrom%2BY%2BGarn%2BNW-004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">View towards Tryfan from Y Garn - the lake is Llyn Ogwen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPhmCQ6mGYk/WX_CnF1B05I/AAAAAAAAIG8/9R8OaSnnTuQuLYOzr0yxCZoPasDb2JwUACLcBGAs/s1600/Llyn%2BIdwal%2Bfrom%2Bcol%2Babove%2BDevils%2BKitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPhmCQ6mGYk/WX_CnF1B05I/AAAAAAAAIG8/9R8OaSnnTuQuLYOzr0yxCZoPasDb2JwUACLcBGAs/s640/Llyn%2BIdwal%2Bfrom%2Bcol%2Babove%2BDevils%2BKitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Llyn Idwal from the col above the Devil's Kitchen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It took me 56 minutes from Y Garn to reach the summit of Glyder Fawr, the highest point of my day at 1001m above sea level. The top and its surroundings is certainly rugged as this picture shows:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wey4ADbkDkg/WX_AEavWtlI/AAAAAAAAIG0/ErSO3vgkR7AJfitnH1qKae6mP9bWswCcgCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2Bslate%2Btopped%2BGlyder%2BFawr%2BNW-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wey4ADbkDkg/WX_AEavWtlI/AAAAAAAAIG0/ErSO3vgkR7AJfitnH1qKae6mP9bWswCcgCLcBGAs/s640/The%2Bslate%2Btopped%2BGlyder%2BFawr%2BNW-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Once again there were plenty of contacts to be had - including more summit to summit contacts with my friends Nick (G4OOE) &amp; Geoff (M0PYG) who were operating from Seat Sandal in the Lake District. I had worked them earlier S2S when they were on Helvellyn.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The mist returned and thick it was. I lost the path walking to Glyder Fach (Non SOTA Mountain) and resorted to jumping from boulder to boulder for some considerable distance - a practice I have to say I enjoy! &nbsp;I picked up a path again as I approached the top of the infamous scree slope above Bwlch Tryfan. I'd read that slope can be treacherous - in the mist I was not relishing the thought of descending down it, so instead I went east and picked up the easy path leading down to The Miner's Track at SH667582. Whilst wandering around the top of the scree slope I picked up Graham - a walker and retired maths teacher from Salisbury, Wilts, who had heard my poles approaching in the mist, clattering on the boulders. Graham was rather disorientated due to the mist and asked if he could tag along until we were in clearer air. He happened to be going to the same place&nbsp;as me - Idwal Cottage YHA. I make friends easily and this was no exception - we got on like a house on fire for the hour that&nbsp;we spent walking together. Kindred spirits thanks to my GPS! &nbsp;So it was Tryfan next and here is how it looked from the Miner's Track:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EotfNjEyuOs/WX_DUecaKxI/AAAAAAAAIHE/JgQI90yi-5kxCKr968zUif_4ZZIqsHD1gCLcBGAs/s1600/Tryfan%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BMiners%2BTrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EotfNjEyuOs/WX_DUecaKxI/AAAAAAAAIHE/JgQI90yi-5kxCKr968zUif_4ZZIqsHD1gCLcBGAs/s640/Tryfan%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BMiners%2BTrack.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OUh5SU5Jffo/WX_Ebln30UI/AAAAAAAAIHI/SXSa6lcAy6Q2s7bOksfoV3XiGUmWq2HBwCLcBGAs/s1600/II%2Bwas%2Btoo%2Btired%2Bto%2Brisk%2Bthe%2Bleap%2Bof%2Bfaith%2Bbetween%2Bthe%2Bstones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OUh5SU5Jffo/WX_Ebln30UI/AAAAAAAAIHI/SXSa6lcAy6Q2s7bOksfoV3XiGUmWq2HBwCLcBGAs/s400/II%2Bwas%2Btoo%2Btired%2Bto%2Brisk%2Bthe%2Bleap%2Bof%2Bfaith%2Bbetween%2Bthe%2Bstones.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Just after 5.00pm I started the climb up Tryfan (NW-006) by the wall at SH662589, as Graham headed down directly to Idwal Cottage YHA. This was a mistake going up by the wall - I should </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">have walked on for 100m beyond the col and gone up the well used scramble from there - warning! However I continued on a quite tricky and risky climb without safety gear for some distance, before I realised there had to be an easier way up the Far South Peak. I did find the easier line in due course and from then on the scramble presented no difficulty and no risk to me. Needless to say I found the easy way down no problem - you always can!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I was greeted on the summit by a couple who encouraged me to climb one of the Adam and Eve stones (right). I did not have the energy or confidence to jump the "leap of faith" between the stones, and as I was looking forward to a second day of walking in Snowdonia and a longer life, discretion was the better part of valour in this case...&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It had taken 30 mins to climb Tryfan from the wall at Bwlch Tryfan and I was really pleased to get there to finish off my 34 point day with four SOTA Completes. Whilst on the summit at 6.00pm and just before leaving, I telephoned the A1 Taxi Company in Bethesda and arranged for a driver to collect me from Idwal Cottage YHA at 7.30pm so that I could retrieve my car from near Deiniolen. &nbsp;Whilst on the summit an army helicopter had been circling above Llyn Idwal and when I left the summit it decided to have a play on Tryfan itself:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSxNBB4sv4I/WX_GwlqKstI/AAAAAAAAIHM/V_mXemX-rsEGzNpAo5HmeRUp-Y6IXo-uACLcBGAs/s1600/Sky%2Bcleared%2Band%2Ban%2Barmy%2B%2Bchopper%2Bhovered%2Bover%2BTryfam%2BNW-006%2Bas%2BI%2Bdescended.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSxNBB4sv4I/WX_GwlqKstI/AAAAAAAAIHM/V_mXemX-rsEGzNpAo5HmeRUp-Y6IXo-uACLcBGAs/s640/Sky%2Bcleared%2Band%2Ban%2Barmy%2B%2Bchopper%2Bhovered%2Bover%2BTryfam%2BNW-006%2Bas%2BI%2Bdescended.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I reached Idwal Cottage YHA at 7.05pm. I checked in as I was staying the night there, however before I could get my meal I needed to retrieve my car from the other side of the Glyders. </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A local taxi firm was used. When I returned </span>I tucked into a delicious&nbsp;and very large pasta meal, microwaved in the Youth Hostel kitchen, with a lager beer of course... supper was a cuppa with a couple of (recently discovered) Welsh Cakes, delicous. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Stats</u>:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Distance driven to walk start at Deiniolen: 202 miles</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Time spent on walk: 8.5 hours</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Distance walked: 11.2 miles</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ascent: 5060 feet</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Total 2m FM Contacts on 4 summits: 52 (Plus 2 contacts with the Wainwright summit Troutbeck Tongue LDW-207)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Total SOTA S2S Contacts = 8</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My GPX track has been loaded into the SOTA Mapping project and Viewranger, however if you do download it to use I would advise you to exercise caution in using it for the section at the base of Tryfan and on the approach to Glyder Fach where I lost the path in mist.&nbsp;</span></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-89576860152206083632017-07-02T20:03:00.004+01:002017-07-23T08:06:53.054+01:00VHF National Field Day <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's some years since I took part in an amateur radio contest... I was a member of Travelling Wave Contest Group from 2010 - 2013, and further back than that, from 1982 onwards I took part in many RSGB and CQ World Wide Contests in CW, SSB and DATA on a regular basis in my own right. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since getting back on the amateur bands in January 2017 after moving house, I've wanted to see what I could work on VHF<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">from my new location.</span></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkhR7vroQuQ/WVlBHc5nD8I/AAAAAAAAIFM/GhHFPjdcHgsiOkhemqzUSVMZtfL8EGNnACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170702_174341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkhR7vroQuQ/WVlBHc5nD8I/AAAAAAAAIFM/GhHFPjdcHgsiOkhemqzUSVMZtfL8EGNnACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170702_174341.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">2m band - WIMO 144 MHz 7+7 Cross Yagi up 4m above ground</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="height: 393px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 652px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dhvzh8ZjPvo/WVlBbsu3IaI/AAAAAAAAIFQ/94izjyKtmj8t3kv3nU2uHl0owlfXJAHRwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170702_174448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dhvzh8ZjPvo/WVlBbsu3IaI/AAAAAAAAIFQ/94izjyKtmj8t3kv3nU2uHl0owlfXJAHRwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170702_174448.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">6m band - 125 feet long OCF Dipole with 4:1 balun at 10m above ground in the Beech Tree in my garden</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Despite having a temporary aerial set up 18 reasonably distant contacts were achieved this weekend from my location in Pickering, close to the North York Moors, in Maidenhead Locator IO94of. My garden is 60 metres above sea level. Each headset on this Google map represents a contact on either 6m or 2m:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--4609_6UhH8/WVlAU7BxACI/AAAAAAAAIFI/AK0tcvshYKwIiZ7Fw7R2_9nwsKgRR2M-gCLcBGAs/s1600/VHF%2BNFD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="884" height="578" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--4609_6UhH8/WVlAU7BxACI/AAAAAAAAIFI/AK0tcvshYKwIiZ7Fw7R2_9nwsKgRR2M-gCLcBGAs/s640/VHF%2BNFD.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I operated for a few hours in the Fixed Station Sweeper (FSR) Section. The FSR section states that fixed stations cannot call CQ - we have to search and pounce on stations and try to work them after hearing National Field Day VHF contest stations calling CQ.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I used a Yaesu FTDX5000 running 150 watts on 50 MHz with a 125 feet off Centred Fed Dipole up 10m in a tree. On 144 MHz I used an Icom 7400 running 80 watts into a Wimo 7+7 Cross Yagi on a 2.7m long boom. The XYagi is temporarily mounted at 4m above ground in a parasol base and has to be turned by the "Armstrong" method.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Best DX on 144 MHz was EI9E at 441 Kms, located betweeen Kilkenny and Wexford. Best DX on 50 MHz was G2BQY/P at 354 Kms, located just north of Shepton Mallet. The only station worked using Morse was GM4ZUK/P near Aberdeen, a distance of 321 Kms&nbsp; on 50 MHz.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was quite a surprise to work such distances on 50 MHz using a wire antenna, and I was pleased with the performance of the Cross Yagi on 144 MHz operating at just 4 metres above ground.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6RZx-ZKpd9w/WVlJ6j6-YfI/AAAAAAAAIFg/21U2q5s6fx4l9JwTBw1oEJqJLfQiewlvgCLcBGAs/s1600/VHF%2BNFD%2BLog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="857" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6RZx-ZKpd9w/WVlJ6j6-YfI/AAAAAAAAIFg/21U2q5s6fx4l9JwTBw1oEJqJLfQiewlvgCLcBGAs/s640/VHF%2BNFD%2BLog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I did work one SOTA station on 2m SSB in the contest - this was GX0OOO/P operated by John Earnshaw G4YSS from Scarborough. John was on Great Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales and made contacts throughout the day on VHF in the contest and on HF also, including on the 1.8 MHz band (160m) where I also made contact using Morse and Voice Comms.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932664685895819777.post-38433084366510402252017-05-07T23:00:00.000+01:002018-02-03T00:38:16.937+00:00SOTA in Moravia Czech Republic - May 2017 - Day Five<u>Sunday 7th May 2017</u><br /><br />1. OK/VY-063 Kyjov (6)<br />2. OK/VY-024 Havlina (6)<br />3. OK/VY-026 Blazkov (4)<br />4. OK/VY-071 Rosicka (4)<br />5. OK/VY-033 Peparek (4)<br />6. OK/VY-068 Zelena Hora (4)<br />7. OK/VY-060 Sklensky Vrch (6)<br />8. OK/VY-004 Kopecek (6)<br />9. OK/VY-014 Harusuv kopec (6)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Reflecting back as I write this, months after our SOTA Tour of Moravia, I think Victor bounced back on day five of the tour. He still felt lousy but was not as debilitated after he got some tablets from a supermarket chemist counter early morning. For the first time in SOTA activating over 12 years I scored on 9 summits on HF in a day, total contacts in the day - 91, total points earned 46.&nbsp; We started operating on our first summit OK/VY-063 at 0703z and I made my last QSO at 1545z. With two operators (G4OBK and G(I)4ONL) operating HF QRP independently with KX2s and link dipoles it was easy to quickly clear the 20m, 30m and 40m band of callers. Our style was to work SSB and CW and operate on at least two out of three of those bands. As soon as 3 CQ calls went unanswered after qualifying the summit, we packed up and moved off on to the next summit.&nbsp; If one operator was still busy then the other operator went on to the 3rd band. The activity took place on the hills around the town of Zdar nad Sazavou:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVgwrwy4U2A/WnTtQVeOeaI/AAAAAAAAIZ8/zB3G38Fyx88kAGy6Om-ujGix0Gh09ZMeQCLcBGAs/s1600/ScreenHunter_15%2BFeb.%2B03%2B09.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="505" height="523" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVgwrwy4U2A/WnTtQVeOeaI/AAAAAAAAIZ8/zB3G38Fyx88kAGy6Om-ujGix0Gh09ZMeQCLcBGAs/s640/ScreenHunter_15%2BFeb.%2B03%2B09.58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(To be continued)</div>Phil G4OBKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885446417340467985noreply@blogger.com0